priest!'

'At this moment a fat Franciscan friar pressed through the crowd.

''Absolution, padre! absolution!' cried Pepito, to whom the sight of the
friar brought back new life.

''Patience, my son, patience! I am very late--very late--and I must not
be detained. Wait a little--and after the sports of the day are over, I
will return.'

''But, padre, I shall be dead!'

''Well, then, be quick!'

''I have only two sins on my conscience: I have not attended mass for
three weeks.'

''That is sad! very sad! Well, what next?'

''Three days ago I stabbed an Inglez--a heretic.'

''Well, my dear son, your sins are venial sins; I absolve you.'

''Pepito, how did that dagger come into your hands?' I exclaimed, for I
was astonished to see in his belt the dagger I had lost on the night
when Adéle took refuge in my room.

''From my dear--Adéle.'