“A god’s—with the heart of all the world beating in his breast.”
“And you think about him!” he exclaimed in gloomy dissatisfaction.
The girl roused herself. “It was only the encounter of an instant,” she mused wistfully. “It would be very foolish to think of just one moment out of one’s life, would it not?”
She turned suddenly, for the thought had surged over her again that she had not in any way heard from Manila since she had left it behind—that in the busy, brilliant lives into which she had fluttered for an instant she was not even a recollection. Apparently in these strenuous times it was every man to his own road! She had chosen her road—but she had never ceased to remember those beautiful days and nights.
“Good night,” she told the young man. “I must go now.”
Before she went to bed, she put out her light and, wrapped in the thick darkness, stared out on the swaying groves. Far down the avenues her gaze pierced, as if some message were stirring toward her from off there. Soon she was asleep, close to the evil, perfumed earth.
As Julie went pondering along the golden dust-powdered road, she was confronted at the convent steps by Anna Anastasia, the Priest’s mother, who accosted her with the freedom of manner that was part of her efflorescent personality.
Once long ago Anna Anastasia had been pretty enough to ensnare the attention of a rich young Spanish official. The Priest was the issue of their irregular alliance, and against its consequences his soul perpetually rebelled. This light, fluid creature had inexorably fixed his fate. The desires of her soft little body had made him what he must unchangeably remain. Far from being a Magdalene, however, Anna Anastasia, as the mother of the Priest, occupied in this elastic human community a position of almost religious eminence.
Nodding sociably at the girl, she said in Spanish: “I’ve been told you seek accommodations.”
Julie looked harassed. Had she not been everywhere unsuccessfully over this crowded town and finally been advised amazingly by the Governor to marry the Teserero in order to put an end to her troubles?