A party of twenty or thirty thundered past, and the girls quickened their pace.  A few minutes’ walk brought them to Mrs. Carlton’s door, which closed after them.

That lady was reading, as they entered, but threw aside her book, and advanced joyously to greet them.  She kissed Mary affectionately, and cordially shook Florence’s hand.

“I am glad you came, Mary.  I feared you would not, and really I want you very much.”

“What can I do, Mrs. Carlton?”

“You can take off your hat and gloves, and prepare yourselves to spend the day with me.”

They laughingly complied, protesting, however, that they could only remain a short time.

“Mary, my poor blind proselyte died yesterday, and bequeathed her orphan child to me:  I feel almost obliged to accept the charge, for her fear lest it should fall into the Padre’s hands was painful to behold, and I promised to protect it if possible.  The poor little fellow is nearly destitute of clothes; I have cut some for him, and knew you would assist me in making them.”

“With pleasure, dear Mrs. Carlton, and so will Florry; fill my basket with work, and we will soon have him a suit.  Oh! how glad I am that he has such kind friends as yourself and husband.”

“The Padre came last night to demand the child, but we refused to give him up:  he said he intended clothing and educating the boy free of charge; yet I knew better, for he refused to baptize Madame Berara’s orphan-niece without the customary fee, though he well knew she could ill afford it, and was compelled to sell her last cow to make up the requisite sum.  I feel assured he will do all in his power to entice Erasmo from me; but hope, by constant watchfulness, to counteract his influence.  Oh!  Mary, how much we need a Protestant minister here:  one who could effectually stem the tide of superstition and degradation that now flows unimpeded through this community.  Oh! my dear friend, let us take courage, and go boldly forth in the cause of truth, and strive to awaken all from the lethargy into which they have fallen—­a lethargy for which their priests are alone responsible, for they administered the deadly drug.”

“I feel as deeply as yourself, dear Mrs. Carlton, the evil tendency and deplorable consequences of the institutions by which we are surrounded, and the little that I can do will be gladly, oh, how gladly! contributed to the work of reformation you have so nobly begun.”

“You forget, Mary, in your proselyting enthusiasm, that Aunt Lizzy belongs to the despised sect; surely you can not intend, by attacks on her religion, to render her home unpleasant?” said Florence.

Mary’s eyes filled with tears, as she glanced reproachfully at her cousin, and replied,