She held her sister in her arms, and soothed her almost unconsciously, as if she had been a little child.

But her own thoughts were taking shape quickly, for she was strong; and after the first paroxysm of her grief, she saw the immediate future as clearly as the present.

When she spoke again she had the mastery of her voice, and it was clear and low.
"You say that our father confessed before the whole court that he had murdered Don John ?" she said, with a question.

"What happened then?
Did the King speak?
Was our father arrested?
Can you remember ?" "I only heard loud cries," sobbed Inez.

"I came to you--as quickly as I could--I was afraid." "We shall never see our father again--unless we see him on the morning when he is to die." "Dolores! They will not kill him, too ?" In sudden and greater fear than before, Inez ceased sobbing.
"He will die on the scaffold," answered Dolores, in the same clear tone, as if she were speaking in a dream, or of things that did not come near her.