And at the same instant Don Maximo appeared in the door of the room, and said,—
"What are you doing, lying down here? Didn't you know that Maria is being married?"
"Whom is she marrying?"
"Jesus Christ! Come and see the ceremony!"
He desired to arise, but could not. Then the physician said,—
"Well, since you cannot move, I will go into the church, to see if I can persuade the people to stand aside a little so that you may see from here."
And in fact, he soon perceived that the congregation was making a sufficiently wide passage from the grating, so that he could see afar away, over the steps of the great altar, Maria's proud figure in bridal array. At her side stood another little human figure holding her by the hand. The bishop was giving them his blessing. It was no more Jesus Christ than it was a pumpkin! The person whom Maria was marrying was neither more nor less than Manolito Lopez, that most impertinent and uncongenial of urchins! He was like one who saw a vision! Could it be possible that a girl so beautiful and wise, would unite herself to this cub and leave him, who in every respect was a man abandoned to despair? The truth is, he had reason for serious and painful reflections. But just as he was getting deeper and deeper involved in them, behold the same Maria enters the room in the garb of a San Bernardo nun, and coming directly to him said, sweetly smiling,—
"Art thou sad because I marry?"
"Why should I not be?"
"Fool," says the young woman, coming still closer, "though I am wedded to Jesus Christ, yet I love thee the same as before."