“What is this?” said the señor, sternly; and she was obliged to tell him all she knew.
For some time the troubled father walked the floor with great agitation without speaking, while the duenna stood trembling before him. Then, turning to her quickly, he said:—
“Call my daughters;” and he rang the bell for Miguel.
All three came into the room with fearful hearts; but Snowdrop’s face was covered with her golden hair, and the tears were shining through it.
Turning to Miguel, he said, sternly, with a black frown covering his whole face:—
“Stand here, and tell me how it is, that this morning I find my horses reeking with foam?”
The old man only answered, “I alone am to blame, señor. Pardon your old servant, who loves you and yours!” and he clasped his hands, and looked imploringly at the dark, angry face that frowned upon him.
Then Snowdrop could bear it no longer, so she ran to the father—throwing her white arms around his neck, and resting her golden-crowned head upon his bosom, she said:—
“Dear papa, I will tell you all! Only do not blame dear, good old Miguel.”
Then she told him of all their loneliness, and eager longings for companions of their own age; about the altar-cloth and all, without reserving one thing. “And now we are sorry; it was wrong; but the dear papa will forgive!” and she raised her pretty face, all shining with tears, and begged him to kiss her.