villany against our friend. Poor senora, poor Rosarito! When one thinks
that this might have been avoided by what I proposed to Dona Perfecta
two days ago----"

"My dear niece," said the Penitentiary phlegmatically, "we have done all
that it was in human power to do to carry out our virtuous purpose.
More we cannot do. Convince yourself of this, and do not be obstinate.
Rosarito cannot be the wife of our idolized Jacintillo. Your golden
dream, your ideal of happiness, that at one time seemed attainable,
and to which like a good uncle, I devoted all the powers of my
understanding, has become chimerical, has vanished into smoke. Serious
obstructions, the wickedness of a man, the indubitable love of the girl,
and other things, regarding which I am silent, have altered altogether
the condition of affairs. We were in a fair way to conquer, and suddenly
we are conquered. Ah, niece! convince yourself of one thing. As matters
are now, Jacinto deserves something a great deal better than that crazy
girl."

"Caprices and obstinate notions!" responded Maria, with an ill-humor
that was far from respectful. "That's a pretty thing to say now, uncle!
The great minds are outshining themselves, now. Dona Perfecta with her
lofty ideas, and you with your doubts and fears--of much use either
of you is. It is a pity that God made me such a fool and gave me an
understanding of brick and mortar, as the senora says, for if that
wasn't the case I would soon settle the question."

"You?"

"If she and you had allowed me, it would be settled already."