be over-scrupulous. I peep and pry into my neighbours' affairs, and
I am uneasy about you, my child.'

He shook his head and drummed upon the table with his dirty fingers.

'Thank you,' answered the girl with her defiant little laugh, 'but I
can manage my own affairs.'

The priest nodded reflectively.

'Yes,' he said. 'It is natural that you should say that. One of
the chief blessings of youth is self confidence. Heaven forbid that
I should shake yours. But, you see, there are several people who
happen to be anxious that this little affair should blow over and be
forgotten. The Alcalde is a mule, we know that, and anything that
serves to magnify himself and his office is likely to be prolonged.
Do not play into his hand. As I tell you, there are some who wish
to forget this incident, and one of them is coming to see you this
afternoon.'

'Ah!' said the girl indifferently.

'General Vincente.'

Julia changed colour and her eyelids flickered for a moment as she
looked out of the open window.

'A good friend,' continued Concha, 'but--'

He finished the phrase with an eloquent little gesture of the hand.