He remained five months at Florence, and then suddenly left Italy for his native country, without apprising the unfortunate woman of his intentions.

Hatred succeeded to love, and she vowed vengeance.

That woman was my mother; and when ten years had passed, she told me my parentage, and made me swear on the altar of her patron saint that I would fulfil her vow of vengeance.
She died, and I became a priest of Rome, and in time was sent by my order to Mexico, and thence here to assist my aged and infirm predecessor.

I had in my possession a miniature of my father, and no sooner had I met him here than I recognized the base being who had deserted my mother.

I kept my peace; but ere he died, he confessed that one sin--heavier than everything beside--weighed on his conscience.