Sierva, Sierva Maria de Todos los Angeles, the girl

The twelve-year-old girl is the daughter of the Marquis Ygnacio and his wife Bernarda. Sierva is neglected by her parents and raised by the mistress of the slave quarter. When Sierva is bitten by a rabid dog, there is much uncertainty on what to do. Sierva seems all right, but becomes slightly sick from a fever. She is subjected to a number of healing methods, which are actually various sorts of tortures. After this creates a scandal, the local Bishop demands that she be given to the convent of Santa Clara to be exorcised of demons. Sierva is terrified of the nasty treatment she receives from the nuns. Father Cayetano is sent into the convent to exorcise her. He is immediately captivated by her and befriends her, but then Cayetano is sent away to a leper hospital. Cayetano manages to...