Their scornful gleam sent a chill to her heart like that of cold steel.

At that moment she understood that she had turned a passive enemy into an active one.
He went, however, without further parley, stopping only to warn the Senora against the sin "of standing with the enemies of God and the Holy Church," and to order Isabel to recite for her mother's pardon and comfort a certain number of aves and paternosters.

Antonia went with him to the door, and ere he left he blessed her, and said: "The Senorita will examine her soul and see her sin.

Then the ever merciful Church will hear her confession, and give her the satisfying penance." Antonia bowed in response.

When people are in great domestic sorrow, self-examination is a superfluous advice.