"Two men stepped forward, and seized the Mother Superior; but she made no attempt to defend herself. She remained motionless, seemingly apathetic; still an almost imperceptible contraction of her eyebrows evidenced the internal emotion she endured."
"'Is that your last word, señora?' Don Torribio inquired."
"'Do your duty, villains!' she replied, with disdain. 'Try to conquer the will of an old woman.'"
"'We are going to do so. Begin!' he ordered."
"The two bandits prepared to obey their chief."
"'Stay, in Heaven's name!' a maiden exclaimed, as she rushed bravely before the Mother Superior, and repulsed the bandits."
"It was the novice with whom the abbess was speaking at the moment the convent was invaded. There was a moment of breathless hesitation."
"'Be silent, I command you!' the abbess shrieked. 'Let me suffer. God sees us!'"
"'It is because He sees us that I will speak,' the maiden answered, peremptorily; 'it is He who has sent these men I do not know, to prevent a great crime. Follow me, Caballeros; you have not a moment to lose; I will lead you to the vaults.'"
"'Wretch!' the abbess cried, writhing furiously in the hands of the men who held her. 'Wretch! my wrath will fall on you.'"