Then the Senora broke open the seals of her sorrow, and, with bitter reproaches on herself, confessed that the kiss she had denied her Juan was a load of anguish upon her heart that she could not bear.
"If I had only blessed him," she moaned; "I had saved him from his misfortune.

A mother's blessing is such a holy thing! And he knelt at my knees, and begged it.

I can see his eyes in the darkness, when my eyes are shut.

I can hear his voice when I am asleep.

Isabel, I shall never be happy till I see Juan again, and say to him, 'Forgive me, dear one, forgive me, for I have suffered.'" Both were weeping, but Isabel said, bravely: "I am sure that Juan does not blame you now, mi madre.