los sacerdotes entonaban el _Salve, Regina_[4]

[Footnote 1: templo. Reference is made here to the cathedral of
Toledo.]

[Footnote 2: la fiesta de la Virgen. Probably the festival of the
Assumption, August 15, as this is generally considered the most
important of the various festivals in honor of the Virgin, such as,
for example, the Nativity of Mary (September 8), the Purification of
the Blessed Virgin (February 2), and the Annunciation (March 25).]

[Footnote 3: un. For _una_. This use is not sanctioned by the
Spanish Academy, nor, as Knapp says, "by the best modern writers."]

[Footnote 4: Salve, Regina = 'Hail, Queen (of Mercy).' The first
words of a Latin antiphon ascribed to Hermannus Contractus (b.
1013-d. 1054). In mediaeval times it was a great favorite with the
church, and was appointed for use at compline, from the first
vespers of Trinity Sunday up to nones on the Saturday before Advent
Sunday. See John Julian, _Dictionary of Hymnology_, London, 1892, p.
991.]

Yo rezaba, rezaba absorta en mis pensamientos religiosos, cuando
maquinalmente levanté la cabeza y mi vista se dirigió al altar. No sé
por qué mis ojos se fijaron desde luego en la imagen, digo mal, en la
imagen no; se fijaron en un objeto que hasta entonces no había visto,
un objeto que, sin poder explicármelo, llamaba sobre sí toda mi
atención. No te rías ... aquel objeto era la ajorca de oro que tiene
la Madre de Dios en uno de los brazos en que descansa su divino
Hijo.... Yo aparte la vista y torné á rezar.... ¡Imposible! Mis ojos