"Well! Why did you not tell that to El Señor Conde?"
"Tell him what?"
"That you are a Catholic."
"Hang it, for the very simple reason that he did not ask me."
"That is true; but no matter, it is a misfortune."
"Why so?"
"Because you would have been present at the anniversary service."
"What anniversary?"
"The one held every year at the hacienda in remembrance of the assassination of the brother of the Señor Conde, who was treacherously killed by the redskins."
"I am really vexed that I did not know that sooner, for I should have made a point of attending that service. Stay, in order that you may not have the slightest doubt about me," he added, as he took out of his bosom a small silver cross, hanging round his neck by a steel chain, "look at this. Is it a heretic plaything?"