CHAPTER VI.
THE LADY OF GRIEF.
"You will not go to-day," said Father Felipe to Arthur, as he entered the Mission refectory early the next morning to breakfast.
"I shall be on the road in an hour, Father," replied Arthur, gaily.
"But not toward San Francisco," said the Padre. "Listen! Your wish of yesterday has been attained. You are to have your desired interview with the fair invisible. Do you comprehend? Donna Dolores has sent for you."
Arthur looked up in surprise. Perhaps his face did not express as much pleasure as Father Felipe expected, who lifted his eyes to the ceiling, took a philosophical pinch of snuff, and muttered—
"Ah, lo que es el mudo!—Now that he has his wish—it is nothing, Mother of God!"
"This is your kindness, Father."
"God forbid!" returned Padre Felipe, hastily. "Believe me, my son, I know nothing. When the Donna left here before the Angelus yesterday, she said nothing of this. Perhaps it is the office of your friend, Mrs. Sepulvida."
"Hardly, I think," said Arthur; "she was so well prepared with all the facts as to render an interview with Donna Dolores unnecessary. Bueno, be it so! I will go."