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more favorable aspect to his hopes。 He looked at the hallowed walls and
the slumbering peacefulness of the gnarled old trees that hid the convent；
and a gentle reminiscence of his youth stole over him。 It was not the first
time that he had gazed wistfully upon that chaste refuge where； perhaps；
the bright eyes that he had followed in the quaint school procession under
the leafy Alameda in the afternoon； were at last closed in gentle slumber。
There was the very grille through which the wicked Conchitaor； was it
Dolores？had shot her Parthian glance at the lingering student。 And the
man of thirty… five； prematurely gray and settled in fortune； smiled as he
turned away； and forgot the adventuress of thirty who had brought him
there。
The next morning he was up betimes and at the college of San Jose。
Father Cipriano； a trifle more snuffy and aged； remembered with delight
his old pupil。 Ah！ it was true； then； that he had become a mining
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president； and that was why his hair was gray； but he trusted that Don
Preble had not forgot that this was not all of life； and that fortune brought
great responsibilities and cares。 But what was this； then？ He HAD
thought of bringing out some of his relations from the States； and placing a
niece in the convent。 That was good and wise。 Ah； yes。 For education
in this new country； one must turn to the church。 And he would see the
Lady Superior？ Ah！ that was but the twist of one's finger and the lifting
of a latch to a grave superintendent and a gray head like that。 Of course；
he had not forgotten the convent and the young senoritas； nor the
discipline and the suspended holidays。 Ah！ it was a special grace of our
Lady that he； Father Cipriano； had not been worried into his grave by
those foolish muchachos。 Yet； when he had extinguished a snuffy
chuckle in his red bandana handkerchief； Key knew that he would
accompany him to the convent that noon。
It was with a slight stirring of shame over his elaborate pretext that he
passed the gate of the Sacred Heart with the good father。 But it is to be
feared that he speedily forgot that in the unexpected information that it
elicited。 The Lady Superior was gracious； and even enthusiastic。 Ah；
yes； it was a growing custom of the American caballeroswho had no
homes； nor yet time to create anyto bring their sisters； wards； and nieces
here； and with a dove…like side…glance towards Keyeven the young
senoritas they wished to fit for their Christian brides！ Unlike the
caballero； there were many business men so immersed in their affairs that
they could not find time for a personal examination of the convent；which
was to be regretted；but who； trusting to the reputation of the Sacred
Heart and its good friends； simply sent the young lady there by some
trusted female companion。 Notably this was the case of the Senor
Rivers；did Don Preble ever know him？a great capitalist in the Sierras；
whose sweet young sister； a naive； ingenuous creature； was the pride of the
convent。 Of course； it was better that it was so。 Discipline and
seclusion had to be maintained。 The young girl should look upon this as
her home。 The rules for visitors were necessarily severe。 It was rare
indeedexcept in a case of urgency； such as happened last night that
even a lady； unless the parent of a scholar； was admitted to the hospitality
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of the convent。 And this lady was only the friend of that same sister of
the American capitalist； although she was the one who had brought her
there。 No； she was not a relation。 Perhaps Don Preble had heard of a Mrs。
Barker；the friend of Rivers of the Sierras。 It was a queer combination
of names。 But what will you？ The names of Americanos mean nothing。
And Don Preble knows them not。 Ah！ possibly？good！ The lady
would be remembered； being tall； dark； and of fine presence； though sad。
A few hours earlier and Don Preble could have judged for himself； for； as
it were； she might have passed through this visitors' room。 But she was
gonedeparted by the coach。 It was from a telegram those heathen
contrivances that blurt out things to you； with never an excuse； nor a smile；
nor a kiss of the hand！ For her part； she never let her scholars receive
them； but opened them herself； and translated them in a Christian spirit；
after due preparation； at her leisure。 And it was this telegram that made
the Senora Barker go； or； without doubt； she would have of herself told to
the Don Preble； her compatriot of the Sierras； how good the convent was
for his niece。
Stung by the thought that this woman had again evaded him； and
disconcerted and confused by the scarcely intelligible information he had
acquired； Key could with difficulty maintain his composure。 〃The
caballero is tired of his long pasear；〃 said the Lady Superior gently。 〃We
will have a glass of wine in the lodge waiting…room。〃 She led the way
from the reception room to the outer door； but stopped at the sound of
approaching footsteps and rustling muslin along the gravel walk。 〃The
second class are going out；〃 she said； as a gentle procession of white
frocks； led by two nuns； filed before the gateway。 〃We will wait until
they have passed。 But the senor can see that my children do not look
unhappy。〃
They certainly looked very cheerful； although they had halted before
the gateway with a little of the demureness of young people who know
they are overlooked by authority； and had bumped against each other with
affected gravity。 Somewhat ashamed of his useless deception； and the
guileless simplicity of the good Lady Superior； Key hesitated and began：
〃I am afraid that I am really giving you