He put behind him the reproof he had been meditating.

He stimulated her curiosity; he asked her sympathy.

No man knew better than Fray Ignatius, when to assume sacerdotal authority and when to lay it aside.
And the Senora was never proof against the compliment of his personal friendship.

The fight, as it affected himself and his brotherhood and the convent, was full of interest to her.

She smiled at Brother Servando's childish alarm; she was angry at an insult offered to the venerable abbot; she condoled with the Sisters, wept at the danger that the famous statue of the Virgin de Los Reinedias had been exposed to; and was altogether as sympathetic as he could desire, until her own affairs were mentioned.
"And you also, my daughter?
The sword has pierced your heart too, I am sure! To know that your husband and sons were fighting against your God and your country! Holy Mother! How great must have been your grief.