give this yer place to the church, why, let him do it, and be
damned.

Jovita (recoiling, aside). So! That is their plan. Don Jose has
worked on the fears or the cupidity of this drunken ingrate.

Sandy (with drunken submission). Ye was speaking to me, miss. Ef
ye'll take my advice,--a drunken man's advice, miss,--ye'll say to
that lover of yours, ef he's afeard to come for ye here, to take ye
as ye stand, he ain't no man for ye. And, ontil he does, ye'll do
as the ole man says. Fur ef I do say it, miss,--and thar ain't no
love lost between us,--he's a good father to ye. It ain't every
day that a gal kin afford to swap a father like that, as she DOES
KNOW, fur the husband that she DON'T! He's a proud old fool, miss;
but to ye, to ye, he's clar grit all through.

Jovita (passionately, aside). Tricked, fooled, like a child! and
through the means of this treacherous, drunken tool. (Stamping her
foot.) Ah! we shall see! You are wise, you are wise, Don Jose;
but your daughter is not a novice, nor a helpless creature of the
Holy Church. (Passionately.) I'll--I'll become a Protestant
to-morrow!

Sandy (unheeding her passion, and becoming more earnest and self-
possessed). Ef ye hed a father, miss, ez instead o' harkinin' to
your slightest wish, and surroundin' ye with luxury, hed made your
infancy a struggle for life among strangers, and your childhood a
disgrace and a temptation; ef he had left ye with no company but
want, with no companions but guilt, with no mother but suffering;
ef he had made your home, this home, so unhappy, so vile, so