He had permitted himself to act with an imprudence most unusual.

He had allowed the Senora to find out her own moral strength, and made a situation for her in which she had acted not only without his support, but against his authority.
"And yet," he muttered, "so much depends upon my persuading her into the convent; however, nothing now is to be done to-day, except to see Rachela.

Saint Joseph! if these American heretics were only in my power! What a long joy I would make of them! I would cut a throat--just one throat--every day of my life." The hatred which could contemplate a vengeance so long drawn out was on his dark face; yet, it is but justice to say, that he sincerely believed it to be a holy hatred.

The foes of the church, he regarded as the foes of God; and his anger as a just zeal for the honor of the Lord of Hosts.
Beside which, it included a far more tangible cause.
The accumulated treasures of the Missions; their gold and gems, their costly vestments and holy vessels, had been removed to the convent for safety.

"These infidels of Americans give to women the honor they should give to God and Holy Church," he said to his brethren.