"Nor does it tire me, pretty Agnes," said he, with an embarrassed laugh. "See what a great fellow I am,—how strong! Look,—I can bend an iron bar in my hands! I am as strong as an ox,—and I should like always to use my strength for you."
"Should you? How very kind of you! It is very Christian to use one's strength for others, like the good Saint Christopher."
"But I would use my strength for you because—I love you, gentle Agnes!"
"That is right, too," replied Agnes. "We must all love one another, my good Antonio."
"You must know what I mean," said the young man. "I mean that I want to marry you."
"I am sorry for that, Antonio," replied Agnes, gravely, "because I do not want to marry you. I am never going to marry anybody."
"Ah, girls always talk so, my mother told me; but nobody ever heard of a girl that did not want a husband; that is impossible," said Antonio, with simplicity.
"I believe girls generally do, Antonio; but I do not: my desire is to go to the convent."
"To the convent, pretty Agnes? Of all things, what should you want to go to the convent for? You never had any trouble. You are young, and handsome, and healthy, and almost any of the fellows would think himself fortunate to get you."
"I would go there to live for God and pray for souls," said Agnes.