That same afternoon, as I sat upon my knoll, I saw
the Padre enter the gates of the residencia. The reve-
lation of the daughter's character had struck home to
my fancy, and almost blotted out the horrors of the
night before ; but at sight of this worthy man the mem-
ory revived. I descended, then, from the knoll, and
making a circuit among the woods, posted myself by the
wayside to await his passage. As soon as he appeared I
stepped forth and introduced myself as the lodger of the
residencia. He had a very strong, honest countenance,
on which it was easy to read the mingled emotions vrith
which he regarded me, as a foreigner, a heretic, and yet
one who had been wounded for the good cause. Of the
family at the residencia he spoke with reserve, and yet
with respect. I mentioned that I had not yet seen the
daughter, whereupon he remarked that that was as it
should be, and looked at me a little askance. Lastly, I



192 OLALLA.
plucked up courage to refer to the cries that had dis-
turbed me in the night. He heard me out in silence,
and then stopped and partly turned about, as though to
mark beyond doubt that he was dismissing me.
