He stopped and sighed gently. Rosendo stood stupidly before him.
“Rosendo––I must say this before I die––I came to Simití to see you. I was approaching the boat to hold converse with you. But, you struck me––there, qué importa! And yet––it was about the gentle Ana, your beautiful daughter––But, wait, Rosendo––God above! hear me through––”
Rosendo had started again toward him.
“Good friend, hear me first, then kill me quickly, for I much desire to go to my home above!” Diego spoke rapidly. The impression must be made upon Rosendo at once, or all was lost. The wily priest knew the peon mind.
“Bien, good friend, you have misunderstood me. But I forgive you. I––Rosendo––I––you will keep my secret, will you not? Bien, I have left the Church. I am no longer a priest. It was for good reasons that God took me from the priesthood for other work in His field. Bien, the bonds of celibacy removed, behold! my first thought is for my beautiful Ana. I came to ask you for her hand. I would render legitimate her unborn child. I would return to her the peace which she lost when we became so deeply enamored of each other. Rosendo, I have come to Simití to lay my life before you––to yield it to the mother of my child––to offer it in future service as a recompense for the unhappiness which, the Virgin knows, I did not willingly bring upon her, or you!”
Rosendo’s head was now in a whirl. His eyes protruded, and his mouth was agape. “But––the little Carmen––” he muttered.
“Alas! friend,” said Diego sadly, shaking his head, while he quickly grasped the cue, “I have ceased my endeavors to make you believe that she is my child. Caramba! I can only leave it to the blessed Virgin to restore her to me when we have both passed the portals of death.”
“You still claim to be her father? You––!”
“Caro amigo,” returned Diego gently, “in these last moments I see in her the beautiful image of her blessed mother, who was taken from me long before I met and loved your Ana. But I despair of enforcing my claim. I await now the reunion which death alone can effect. And so, friend, be quick! But do not make me suffer. Drown me not, I pray you, but rather open 271 an artery and let me fall gently asleep here beneath this noble tree.”
A light came into Rosendo’s troubled eyes. A cunning smile lurked about his mouth.