CHAPTER XXXII
CHANGES.
The modest Linares was serious and very uneasy. He had just received a
letter from Dona Victorina which, translated from the most illiterate
Spanish, and omitting its many errors in spelling and punctuation,
was as follows:
"Esteemed Cousin:-Within three days I want to know from
you if you have killed the alferez or he you. I don't want
another day to pass without this animal being punished. If this
length of time passes and still you have not challenged him,
I will tell Don Santiago that you never were secretary and
that you never joked with Canovas or with General Martinez. I
will tell Clarita that it is all a lie and I will not give
you another cuarto. If you challenge him, I promise you all
that you wish. If you do not challenge him, I will accept no
excuses or reasons.
"Your cousin who loves you in her heart.
"Victorina de los Reyes de de Espadana.
"Sampalog, Monday Eve, 7 o'clock."
It was a serious matter. Linares knew Dona Victorina's character
and knew what she was capable of doing. To reason with her was out
of the question; to beg was useless; to deceive her worse. There was
no other remedy than to challenge.
"But what can I do?" he said to himself, as he was walking alone. "If
he receives me harshly? If I meet his wife? Who would want to be
my second? The curate? Captain Tiago? Cursed be the hour in which I
gave ear to her advice! What will this senorita say about me? Now I
am sorry to have been secretary to all the ministers."
The good Linares was in this sad soliloquy when Father Salvi
arrived. The Franciscan was certainly thinner and paler than usual,
but his eyes shone with a peculiar light and a strange smile was seen
on his lips.
"Senor Linares, all alone?" saluted the priest and directed his steps
to the sala, through the half open door of which notes of the piano
were heard.
Linares restrained a smile.
"And Don Santiago?" added the curate.
Captain Tiago presented himself at that moment, kissed the curate's
hand, took the Father's hat and cane and smiled like one who had
been blessed.
"Well, well!" said the curate, going into the sala, followed by
Linares and Captain Tiago. "I have good news from Manila which you
will all enjoy. I have received letters from Manila which confirm the
one which Senor Ibarra brought me yesterday-so that, Don Santiago,
the impediment is removed."
Maria Clara was seated at the piano between her two girl friends. She
half rose to her feet at this remark, but her strength failed her and
she sat down again. Linares turned pale and looked at Captain Tiago,
who turned his eyes to the floor.
"This young man really seems to me a very nice fellow," continued the
curate. "At first, I judged him bad-he is a little quick-tempered. But
he knows so well how to atone for his faults afterward, that one cannot
hold any grudge against him. If it were not for Father Damaso..." And
the curate directed a quick glance at Maria Clara. She was listening
to all that was going on but without taking her eyes off the music-in
spite of the concealed pinches which Sinang gave her to express her
joy. Had she been alone, she would have danced.
"Father Damaso?" asked Linares without finishing the sentence.
"Yes," continued the curate. "Father Damaso has said that as
... godfather he could not permit ... but I believe that if finally,
Senor Ibarra asks pardon, which I do not doubt he will do, all will
be arranged."
Maria Clara arose, made an excuse and retired to her room, accompanied
by Victoria.
"And if Father Damaso does not pardon him?" asked Captain Tiago,
in a low voice.
"Then Maria Clara will see that Father Damaso is her spiritual
father. But I believe that they will come to an understanding."
At that moment, steps were heard and Ibarra appeared, followed by
Aunt Isabel. His presence on the scene produced a varied effect. He
saluted Captain Tiago affably, the latter not knowing whether to
smile or to weep; to Linares he bowed profoundly. Father Salvi arose
and extended his hand to him so affectionately that Ibarra could not
suppress a look of surprise.
"Do not think it strange," said Father Salvi. "I was just paying you
a compliment."
Ibarra thanked him and approached Sinang.
"Where have you been all day?" she asked, with a childish laugh. "We
have been asking each other, 'Where could this soul redeemed from
purgatory have gone?' Each one of us gave a different answer."
"And will you not tell what you said?"
"No, that is a secret; but I will surely tell you in private. Now
tell us where you have been so that we can see who has been able to
guess it."
"No, that also is a secret; but I will tell you alone, if the senores
will permit."
"Certainly, certainly!" said Father Salvi.
Sinang took Crisostomo to one end of the hall. She was very happy
with the idea of knowing a secret.
"Tell me, my little friend," said Ibarra, "Is Maria angry with me?"
"I do not know, but she says that it is better that you should forget
her and then begins to cry. Captain Tiago wants her to marry that
gentleman; Father Damaso also wishes it; but she says neither yes
nor no. This morning when we were asking for you, I said: 'What
if he has gone to make love to some one else?' She replied to me:
'Would to God that he had!' and then began to cry."
Ibarra was serious.
"Tell Maria that I want to speak with her alone."
"Alone?" asked Sinang, knitting her eyebrows and looking at him.
"Entirely alone, no. But so that we may not be seen by that other
senor."
"It is difficult, but don't worry. I will tell her."
"And when will I know the answer?"
"To-morrow come to the house early. Maria never wants to be alone. We
keep her company. Victoria sleeps by her side one night, and I
the next. To-morrow night it is my turn. But listen: What is the
secret? You are going without telling me the principal thing."
"That is true. I was in the town of Los Banos. I went up there to do
some business in cocoanut trees, since I am thinking of building a
factory. Your father will be my partner."
"Nothing more than that? Give us the secret!" exclaimed Sinang in a
loud voice and in the tone of a defrauded usurer. "I thought-"
"Take care. I don't want you to tell it."
"I have no desire to!" replied Sinang, sticking up her nose. "If it
were something more important, I would tell it to my friends. But to
buy cocoanuts! cocoanuts! Who is interested in cocoanuts?"
And she went away in haste to find her girl friends.
A few moments afterward, Ibarra seeing that the conversation was
lagging, took leave of the gathering. Captain Tiago's expression
was between sweet and sour; Linares was silent and observing; and
the curate, feigning to be joyful, was telling stories. None of the
girls had returned.