Juniper, Brother

A Franciscan priest who has opened many churches for the indigenous Indian population, but who has a philosophic concept he wishes to investigate—namely, there needs to be a sound mathematical basis for theological beliefs. He is described as scurrying from parish to parish, his robe tucked about his knees for haste. He witnesses the collapse of the Bridge of San Luis Rey and determines this is his opportunity to test his theories. He spends the next several years acquiring information on those who died, their associates, and relations. All of it is compiled into a huge book. Brother Juniper and his book are burned together as a punishment for heresy; however, a copy of the book is later found in the local university.

María, Doña (aka Marquesa de Montemayor)

The daughter of a cloth merchant, María suffers an unhappy childhood, partly because she...