When you and your children are in the house of the marquis, he will go before the Alcalde.

He will declare that you have gone voluntarily to his care, and that he is your nearest and most natural guardian.

Very well.

But further, he will declare, on account of his great age, and the troubled state of the time, he is unable to protect you, and ask for the authority to place you in the religious care of the holy sisterhood of Saint Maria.

And he will obtain all he wants." "But, simply, what is to be gained by such treachery?
He said to-day that I was like his sister Mercedes, and he spoke very gently to me." "He would not think such a proceeding really unkind.