On Saturday night Chonita stole from her guests, donned a black gown and reboso, and, attended by two Indian servants, went up to the Mission to confession. As she left the church a half-hour later, and came down the steps, Estenega rose from a bench beneath the arches of the corridor and joined her.
"How did you know that I came?" she asked; and it was not the stars that lit her face.
"You do little that I do not know. Have you been to confession?"
"Yes."
They walked slowly down the valley.
"And you forgave and were forgiven?"
"Yes. Ay! but my penance is heavy!"
"But when it is done you will be at rest, I suppose."
"Oh, I hope! I hope!"
"Have you begun to realize that your Church cannot satisfy you?"