"That's true; God works real miracles in him because there is need in the world. Oh, God! what would have become of my soul if these holy missioners had not come to open my eyes!"
"Though they have helped greatly in the way of salvation, still, before they came you were very good and used to attend the Sacraments."
"How little that amounts to, Genoveva, when the deepest nooks and corners of the conscience are not looked into!"
"Tell me, señorita, did you see in your dreams last night that beautiful bird with fiery feathers, with a cross in its bill, which you have seen lately?"
Maria stopped suddenly short and raised her hand to her breast as though she had received a blow. Then she began to walk on again, exclaiming in an undertone,—
"Last night I was not allowed to see it!"
"Why not, sweetheart?"
She made no reply. She walked on a while, and a groan escaped her. Then she stopped once more, and throwing her arms around her maid's neck, she began to sob bitterly.
"I am very wicked, Genoveva, very wicked! My heart has not yet been freed from impurities; the flesh and the devil will hold me in their sway. If you knew what a sin I committed yesterday!"
"Hush, hush! don't be discouraged! What sin could you have committed, you lamb?"[8]