"They will not suffer the Sisters to be molested; and our wealth will be safe wherever they are." But this wealth was really so immense, that he believed it might be well to secure it still further, and knowing the position Dr.Worth held among his countrymen, he resolved to induce his wife and daughters to seek refuge within the convent.

They were, in fact, to be held as hostages, for the protection of the property of the Church.
That he should fail in his plan was intolerable to him.

He had been so confident of success.

He imagined the smile on the face of Fray Sarapiam, and the warning against self-confidence he would receive from his superior; and he vowed by Saint Joseph that he would not suffer himself to be so mortified by three women.
Had he seen the Senora after the first excitement of her rebellion was over, he would have been satisfied of the validity of his authority, at least as regarded her.

She flung herself at the foot of her altar, weeping and beating her breast in a passion of self-accusation and contrition.