In spite of the implied reproach, Carroll felt relieved. He began
to be impatient of Garnier's presence, and longed to renew his
suit. Perhaps his face showed something of this, for Maruja added,
with mock demureness, "It's always dreadful to be the eldest
sister; but think what it is to be in the direct line of a curse!
Now, there's Amita--SHE'S free to do as she likes, with no family
responsibility; while poor me!" She dropped her eyes, but not
until they had again sought and half-reproved the brightening eyes
of Carroll.

"But," said Garnier, with a sudden change from his easy security
and courteous indifference to an almost harsh impatience, "you do
not mean to say, Mademoiselle, that you have the least belief in
this rubbish, this ridiculous canard?"

Maruja's straight mouth quickly tightened over her teeth. She shot
a significant glance at Carroll, but instantly resumed her former
manner.

"It matters little what a foolish girl like myself believes. The
rest of the family, even the servants and children, all believe it.
It is a part of their religion. Look at these flowers around the
pear-tree, and scattered on that Indian mound. They regularly find
their way there on saints' days and festas. THEY are not rubbish,
Monsieur Garnier; they are propitiatory sacrifices. Pereo would
believe that a temblor would swallow up the casa if we should ever
forego these customary rites. Is it a mere absurdity that forced
my father to build these modern additions around the heart of the
old adobe house, leaving it untouched, so that the curse might not
be fulfilled even by implication?"