The good aunt left the group and went to her niece’s room. Maria Clara was still in bed, and pale, very pale; beside her were her two friends.
Sinang was giving her her medicine.
“He has not written to you again?” asked Maria, softly.
“No.”
“He gave you no message for me?”
“No; he only said he was going to make every effort to have the archbishop raise the ban of excommunication——”
The arrival of Aunt Isabel interrupted the conversation.
“The father says you are to prepare yourself for confession, my child,” said she. “Sinang, leave her to examine her conscience. Shall I bring you the ‘Anchor,’ the ‘Bouquet,’ or the ‘Straight Road to Heaven,’ Maria?”
Maria Clara did not reply.
“Well, we mustn’t fatigue you,” said the good aunt consolingly; “I will read you the examination myself, and you will only have to remember your sins.”