"I don't repent! I can't repent!" cried the girl, in a burst of sublime despair. She lifted her head, and in her face was depicted a sudden inspired strength. Her hair fell in disorder over her shoulders. Never was there seen a more beautiful image of a rebellious angel.
"What is this? Have you lost your senses?" said Doña Perfecta, laying both hands on her daughter's shoulders.
"I am going away! I am going away!" said the girl with the exaltation of delirium. And she sprang out of bed.
"Rosario, Rosario—my daughter! For God's sake, what is this?"
"Ah mamma, señora!" exclaimed the girl, embracing her mother; "bind me fast!"
"In truth, you would deserve it. What madness is this?"
"Bind me fast! I am going away—I am going away with him!"...
"Has he told you to do so? has he counseled you to do that? has he commanded you to do that?" asked the mother, launching these words like thunderbolts against her daughter.
"He has counseled me to do it. We have agreed to be married. We must be married, mamma, dear mamma. I will love you—I know that I ought to love you—I shall be forever lost if I do not love you."
"Rosario, Rosario!" cried Doña Perfecta in a terrible voice, "rise!"