"I am ready."
"One of my children loves you. During the last eight days, have you acknowledged or repelled his love?"
"I have repelled it in every manner."
"I know it. The least of your actions are known to us. I ask the secrets of your heart, not of your conduct."
Consuelo felt her cheeks glow and was silent.
"You think my question cruel. You must reply to it, notwithstanding. I wish to guess at nothing. I must know and record."
"Well, I do love," said Consuelo, yielding to the necessity of truth. Scarcely had she pronounced this word, than she shed tears. She had abandoned the virginity of her soul.
"Why do you weep?" said the confessor mildly. "Is it from shame or from repentance?"
"I do not know. I think it is not from repentance. I love too well for that."
"Whom do you love?"