This was during her fifteenth year. A young
girl with her religious habit of mind would, naturally, turn to the
convent, and regard a life spent in it as the worthiest, therefore the
most desirable, to be found in this sinful world; and Apolinaria,
notwithstanding her strength of character, soon became fascinated with
the prospect. She thought long and seriously before saying a word to any
one; for much as she now wished it, she knew it would be painful both to
herself and to the good Carrillos, and she dreaded to disclose her plan.
But at last, believing she had definitely decided that it concerned the
future welfare of her soul, she betook herself to her spiritual adviser,
Father Pujol, and laid her thought before him.
Now Father Pujol was a man - one of many in this imperfect world - who
had not found his proper place in life. His father had intended to take
him, as a partner, into business, toward which he had a natural leaning,
so soon as he was of sufficient age; but Se?–or Pujol suffered reverses
which swept away his modest fortune, and left his family destitute.
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