That the authority at San Jose might dissent with the Padre of San Carmel, or decline to carry out his designs, did not occur to the one-idea'd priest.

Like all solitary people, isolated from passing events, he made no allowances for occurrences outside of his routine.

Yet at this moment a sudden thought whitened his yellow cheek.

What if the Father Superior deemed it necessary to impart the secret to Francisco?
Would the child recoil at the deception, and, perhaps, cease to love him?
It was the first time, in his supreme selfishness, he had taken the acolyte's feelings into account.

He had thought of him only as one owing implicit obedience to him as a temporal and spiritual guide.
"Reverend Father!" He turned impatiently.