True, there was the girl’s future. Such a spirit as hers could not long be confined within the narrow verges of Simití. 342 He must not oppose his egoism to her interests. And, besides, he might follow soon. Perhaps go with her! Who knew? it might be the opening of the way to the consummation of that heart-longing for––
Ah, the desperate joy that surged through his yearning soul at the thought! The girl was fifteen. A year, two, three, and he would still be a young man! She loved him––never had man had such proofs as he of an affection so divine! And he worshiped her! Why hesitate longer? Surely the way was unfolding!
“Carmen,” he said tenderly, drawing her closer to him, “you may be right. Yes––we will both go with the Americans. Once out of this environment and free from ecclesiastical chains, I shall do better.”
The girl looked up at him with brimming eyes. “Padre dear,” she whispered, “I want to go––away from Simití. Juan––he asks me almost every day to marry him. And he becomes angry when I refuse. Even in the church, when Don Mario was trying to get us, Juan said he would save me if I would promise to marry him. He said he would go to Cartagena and kill the Bishop. He follows me like a shadow. He––Padre, he is a good boy. I love him. But––I do not––want to marry him.”
They sat silent for some moments. Josè knew how insistent Juan had become. The lad adored the girl. He tormented the priest about her.
“Padre, you––you are not always going to be a priest––are you? And––I––I––oh, Padre dear, I love you so!” She turned impulsively and threw both arms about his neck. “I want to see you work out your problem. I will help you. You can go with me––and I can always live with you––and some day––some day––” She buried her face in his shoulder. The artless girl had never seemed to think it unmaidenly to declare her love for him, to show him unmistakably that she hoped to become his wife.
The man’s heart gave a mighty leap. The beautiful child in his arms was human! Young in years, and yet a woman by the conventions of these tropic lands. He bent his head and kissed her. Why, she had long insisted that she would wait for him! And why should he now oppose the externalization of that sweet thought?
“Ah, chiquita,” he murmured, “I will indeed go with you now! I will send my resignation to the Bishop at once. No, I will wait and send it from the States. I will renounce my oath, abjure my promise––”
The girl sat suddenly upright and looked earnestly into his 343 eyes. “What do you mean, Padre?” she queried dubiously. “What did you promise?”
“Ah, I have never told you. But––I promised my mother, dearest one, that I would always remain a priest––unless, indeed, the Church herself should eject me from the priesthood. But, it was foolish––”