"But whoever supposed you would hate me?" said the young girl greatly bewildered. "I know that you love me. But you frighten me—get up."
"I do love you, dearly, dearly; I adore you," repeated Nela, kissing the feet of her benefactress. "And yet I cannot—I cannot...."
"What cannot you do—for God's sake! get up." Florentina put out her arms to help her up; but Nela rose without any assistance, and springing away to a safe distance, she repeated, bursting into a flood of tears:
"I cannot Señorita, I cannot."
"What?—in Heaven's name! what has come over you?"
"I cannot go there." And she pointed to Aldeacorba, where the roof of Don Francisco's house was visible among the trees.
"And why?"
"The Blessed Virgin knows," replied the child with prompt decision. "May the Holy Virgin bless you!" She made a cross with her fingers and kissed it; she was registering a vow.
Florentina took a step towards her and María, understanding the loving impulse, flew to meet her; she laid her head against her friend's bosom, and murmured as she sobbed: "Kiss me—for God's sake! give me one kiss!"