wooing the fresh young girl he hoped to make his wife. Their love must
be authorized and sanctioned; true, he wished that; but the charm
of winning the prize before it was given was irresistible. Antonia
comprehended all without many words; but she took her sister into the
garden, where they could be quite alone, and she sought the girl's
confidence because she was sure she could be to her a loving guide. 

Isabel was ready enough to talk, and the morning was conducive to
confidence. They strolled slowly between the myrtle hedges in the
sweet gloom of overshadowing trees, hearing only like a faint musical
confusion the mingled murmur of the city. 

"It was just here," said Isabel. "I was walking and sitting and doing
nothing at all but looking at the trees and the birds and feeling happy,
and Don Luis came to me. He might have come down from the skies, I was
so astonished. And he looked so handsome, and he said such words! Oh,
Antonia! they went straight to my heart." 

"When was this, dear?" 

"It was in the morning. I had been to mass with Rachela. I had said
every prayer with my whole heart, and Rachela told me I might stay in
the garden until the sun grew hot. And as soon as Rachela was gone, Don
Luis came--came just as sudden as an angel." 

"He must have followed you from mass." 

"Perhaps." 

"He should not have done that." 

"If a thing is delightful, nobody should do it. Luis said he knew that
it was decided that we should marry, but that he wanted me to be his
wife because I loved him. His face was shining with joy, his eyes were
like two stars, he called me his life, his adorable mistress, his queen,
and he knelt down and took my hands and kissed them. I was too happy to
speak." 

"Oh, Iza!" 

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