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"Who is there to care for Inez now? Who will smooth my pillow, and close my eyes, and lay me to rest?"
Her desolation of heart conquered; her head sunk upon her bosoroan burst from her lips Slowly she rocked herself to and fro in the loneliness of her spirit
She had not loved her father wareniality between them, and her hasty rejection of Mañuel's suit mutually embittered their intercourse For Nevarro, a sort of sisterly feeling was entertained, no warmer affection Yet she could love intensely A little sister had waked her tenderness--her heart clung to the gentle child, so unlike herself She sickened, and in a day went down to the torief of Inez, who felt little for her mother, and soon she too took her place in the churchyard Dr Bryant caain she was disappointed; and now she sat alone in the orld, without one re tie to bind the future
The hour of bitterness had come She looked upon that dreary future and her utter desolation, and no gleam of hope stole to her darkened soul An almost vacant expression settled on the dark countenance of the once beautiful maiden Softly the door was pushed ajar, and the form of the Padre stood within By instinct she see her bowed head, the black sparkling eyes flashed, and the broad brorinkled into a frown dark as night He approached her, and they stood face to face upon the hearth
"What do you here, in the house of death, Mio Padre?"
"Inez, my queen of beauty, I have come to take the prize for which I toiled There are none noeen us, no, not one You need not draw back so proudly"
A bitter, conteht air, and Inez folded her arms upon her bosom
"Truly, Padre, we are well mated! You have opposed me, and I thwarted you! I am your equal: think you to intimidate me with threats? You should know better!"
"Inez, listen! I leave this place before many days My work is finished here; there are none to oppose, and I go elsewhere To Mexico first, and then to Italy You o with ain Inez laughed her h "Go with you, Mio Padre! No, no; I must decline the honor The hour of settle you have plotted my destruction; and one by one removed every obstacle in your way, and smoothed my path to ruin! I have known this--silently I have watched you maneuver You counseled Mañuel; you flattered hi manner, and caused the rupture between us You knew ht to secure loomy convent, and hoped that in time my broad lands would bless and enrich your holy church! But, Padre, I did not fancy the home prepared for me in San Jose I proerin Padre, I would have married Mañuel, sooner than second your plans I, too, foresaw the tempest that even nols over us It was my only hope, and I said, who may predict the chances of war? The Americans may yet number the ly I was passive, but you are thwarted We stand face to face, and I scorn you, incarnate devil as you are How dared you do as you have done? Mine eyes are opened--you can no longer deceive ends and the marvelous traditions of your country I tell you, I hate you with an everlasting hate You have led me far from God, if there be a God, and rave!"