“I!” said Montoria, “that is a business which does not rest on me. But calm yourself, young woman. You seem to be a good girl; truly, I remember the attention with which you took care of me, and such goodness touches my soul. I did you a great wrong, and from the same person whom I injured I received a great good, perhaps life itself. In such ways God teaches us to be humble and charitable, porr —I was just going to let it go, this cursed tongue of mine!”
“Señor, how good you are!” cried the girl; “and I thought you were very bad. You will help me to save my father. He does not lay up the outrage he received.”
“Listen,” said Montoria, taking her by the arm. “Not long ago I asked pardon of Señor Don Jerónimo for all that; and far from being reconciled with me, he insulted me in the most gross manner. He and I do not pull together, child. If you tell me that you forgive me that matter of the blows, my conscience