"And the Spaniards are foremost among the faithful," said L'Isle.
"They are greedy of belief, even beyond what the church commands. Thus
the mysterious origin of the Holy Virgin, which once convulsed the
Spanish church, is here no longer a disputed point. It is the first
article of their creed, as proved by their commonest term of
salutation. On entering a Spaniard's house, you must begin with the
words, '_Ave Maria Purissima_,' to which will be answered, '_Sin
pecado concebida_.' Smithfield fires could not burn this dogma out of
them, and they would become schismatics if the rest of Popedom were
not treading on their heels. Yet to me this doctrine seems to sap the
great Christian truth, that Christ is 'God made man,' for it pushes
his human origin one generation further back. Did Scripture tell the
name of the mother of the blessed Virgin, the next age might discover
that she too was '_sin pecado concebida_.'"

"Since I have been in this land," said Mrs. Shortridge, "I have seen
scarcely a street, or even a house, which is without an image or
picture of the blessed Virgin, and the images are often crowned with
flowers."

"She is the goddess of these southern nations," L'Isle answered; "and
styled the Mother of God. Moreover, every pious Spaniard regards the
Virgin in the light of his friend, his confidante, his mistress, whose
whole attention is directed to himself, and who is perpetually
watching over his happiness. With the name of Mary ever on his lips he
follows his business, his pleasures, and his sins. It is in the name,
too, of Mary," L'Isle continued, with an arch smile, "that the ladies
write billetdoux, send their portraits, and entertain their gallants."

"Stop," said Mrs. Shortridge; "you are libeling our sex, and your love