Ana sank down with a moan and buried her face in her hands. Diego heavily descended the stairs. “Ha, Ricardo!” 240 he exclaimed, recognizing the man. “Bien, so it is you! And the girl?”
“I do not know, Padre,” cried the man excitedly. “Señorita Ana, she made me drunk last night. I brought the girl––I waited for you, but the señorita––”
“Caramba, I understand!” replied Diego, turning to the woman.
Ana had risen and was making for the stairs. Diego sprang to her and seized her by the wrist. With her free hand she drew the stiletto from her bosom and raised it to strike. Ricardo saw the movement, and threw himself upon her.
“Dios!” cried Diego, as Ricardo felled the woman and wrenched the weapon from her grasp. “My pretty angel, you have the venom of a serpent! Sly wench! did you think to deceive your doting Padre? But––Dios nos guarde!”
Carmen, awakened by the noise, had left her bed, and now stood at the head of the stairs, looking with dilated eyes at the strange scene being enacted below.
Silence fell upon the group. Ana lay on the ground, her eyes strained toward the girl. Ricardo bent over her, awaiting his master’s command. He knew now that she had forever lost her power over the priest. Diego stood like a statue, his eyes riveted upon Carmen. The girl looked down upon them from the floor above with an expression of wonder, yet without fear.
Diego was the first to find his voice. “Ah, my pretty one!” he wheedled. “My lovely daughter! At last you come to your lonely padre! Wait for me, hermosissima!” He puffed painfully up the steps.
“Carmen!––run!––run! Don’t let him come near you––!” screamed Ana in a voice of horror. Ricardo clapped his hand heavily over her mouth.
But the child did not move. Diego reached her and seized her hand.