"Bless me, my Father, because I have sinned."
He laid his hands on her bowed head, and muttered indistinctly a Latin phrase. "I confess to Almighty God, to blessed Mary, ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech the blessed Mary, ever Virgin, the blessed Michael the Archangel, the blessed John the Baptist, the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and all the saints, to pray to the Lord our God for me.
"Since my last confession, I accuse myself of many sins. I have missed mass, vespers and many holy ordinances of our most holy church. Have borne hatred, and given most provoking language.
"I have broken the engagement thou did'st command me to keep; have angered Mañuel, and enraged my father greatly. I neglected fasting on the day of our most holy Saint ——.
"I have entered this church, this holy sanctuary, without crossing myself; and passed the image of the Blessed Virgin without kneeling." She paused, and bent her head lower.
'The Padre then said, "My daughter, thy sins are grievous; my heart bleeds over thy manifold transgressions."
"Even so, my Father; even so."
"Dost thou still bear enmity to Mañuel Nevarro, who loves thee truly, and is thy promised husband?"
"No, my Father; I desire to be speedily reconciled to him whom I have offended."
"Wilt thou promise to offer no objection, but become his wife?"