r Excellency's health, as is the duty of all
good subjects of the King and of every person of culture, we have
come in the name of the respected servant of your Excellency who has
had the misfortune--"

"Oh!" interrupted the Captain-General, twirling a chair about on one
leg and smiling nervously, "if all the servants of my Excellency were
like his Reverence, Padre Damaso, I should prefer myself to serve
my Excellency!"

The reverend gentlemen, who were standing up physically, did so
mentally at this interruption.

"Won't your Reverences be seated?" he added after a brief pause,
moderating his tone a little.

Capitan Tiago here appeared in full dress, walking on tiptoe and
leading by the hand Maria Clara, who entered timidly and with
hesitation. Still she bowed gracefully and ceremoniously.

"Is this young lady your daughter?" asked the Captain-General in
surprise.

"And your Excellency's, General," answered Capitan Tiago
seriously. [103]

The alcalde and the aides opened their eyes wide, but his Excellency
lost none of his gravity as he took the girl's hand and said affably,
"Happy are the fathers who have daughters like you, senorita! I have
heard you spoken of with respect and admiration and have wanted to
see you and thank you for your beautiful action of this afternoon. I
am informed of _everything_ and when I make my report to his Majesty's
government I shall not forget your noble conduct. Meanwhile, permit me
to thank you in the name of his Majesty, the King, whom I represent
here and who loves _peace and tranquillity_ in his loyal subjects,
and for myself, a father who has daughters of your age, and to propose
a reward for you."

"Sir--" answered the trembling Maria Clara.

His Excellency guessed what she wanted to say, and so continued:
"It is well, senorita, that you are at peace with your conscience and
content with the good opinion of your fellow-countrymen, with the
faith which is its own best reward and beyond which we should not
aspire. But you must not deprive me of an opportunity to show that
if Justice knows how to punish she also knows how to reward and that
she is not always _blind!_" The italicized words were all spoken in
a loud and significant tone.

"Senor Don Juan Crisostomo Ibarra awaits the orders of your
Excellency!" announced the aide in a loud voice.

Maria Clara shuddered.

"Ah!" exclaimed the Captain-General. "Allow me, senorita, to express
my desire to see you again bef