manner of malicious reports to the disadvantage of their new neighbours. An opportunity of forging the first link of a desolating chain of slander was not long-wanting.
It was noticed that the family very seldom attended mass in any of the churches during the week. It is true that on the Sunday they proceeded thither quite regularly, as in duty bound—but this was not sufficient. The lady of the house, too, did not resort so frequently to the confessional as a good Catholic should; and when the priest took occasion to visit the family, he was received respectfully, but not with that warmth of adulation and reverence which on such occasions ought to be evinced. This was more especially the case when the goodman of the house was absent.
Here, then, was a discovery. The Señora Kuys de Bogota was irreligious! Whisperings of examination, and inquiries, and heresy, were immediately circulated; and it was considered that something serious ought to be done with such people, were it only for the sake of example. Disrespect in the particular named, was quite unintentional on the part of the lady and her family—but that did not matter: she was decidedly irreligious!
