take my part! You will not condemn me to a life of
misery! I am too proud to speak openly to others
--but I love this man more than my soul--more
than my immortal soul. Do you hear? I am in
danger of mortal sin. Perhaps I am already in that
state. You cannot save me if he goes. I will not
pray. I will not come to the church. I will be an
outcast. If I marry him, I will be a good Catholic
to the end of my days. If I marry him I can think
of other things besides--of my church, my father,
my mother, my sisters, brothers. If he goes, I shall
pass my life thinking of nothing but him, and if it
be true that heretics are doomed to hell, then I will
live so that I may go to hell with him."

In spite of his horror the priest was thrilled by
the intense passion in the voice so close to his ear.
Moreover, he knew women well, this good padre,
for even in California they differed little from those
that played ball with the world. So he dismissed the
horror and spoke soothingly.

"What you have said would be mortal sin, my
daughter, were it not that you are laboring under
strong and natural excitement; and I shall absolve
you freely when you have done the penance I must
impose. You have always been such a good child
that I am able to forgive you even in this terrible
moment. But, my daughter, surely you know that
this marriage can never take place--"