e to scandalize good Christians? It's
letting a wolf enter the fold. You will answer for this to God and
the authorities!"

"I always answer for the actions that spring from my own will, Padre,"
replied Don Filipo with a slight bow. "But my little authority does not
empower me to mix in religious affairs. Those who wish to avoid contact
with him need not talk to him. Senor Ibarra forces himself on no one."

"But it's giving opportunity for danger, and he who loves danger
perishes in it."

"I don't see any danger, Padre. The alcalde and the Captain-General,
my superior officers, have been talking with him all the afternoon
and it's not for me to teach them a lesson."

"If you don't put him out of here, we'll leave."

"I'm very sorry, but I can't put any one out of here." The curate
repented of his threat, but it was too late to retract, so he made
a sign to his companion, who arose with regret, and the two went
out together. The persons attached to them followed their example,
casting looks of hatred at Ibarra.

The murmurs and whispers increased. A number of people approached
the young man and said to him, "We're with you, don't take any notice
of them."

"Whom do you mean by _them?_" Ibarra asked in surprise.

"Those who've just left to avoid contact with you."

"Left to avoid contact with me?"

"Yes, they say that you're excommunicated."

"Excommunicated?" The astonished youth did not know what to say. He
looked about him and saw that Maria Clara was hiding her face behind
her fan. "But is it possible?" he exclaimed finally. "Are we still
in the Dark Ages? So--"

He approached the young women and said with a change of tone, "Excuse
me, I've forgotten an engagement. I'll be back to see you home."

"Stay!" Sinang said to him. "Yeyeng is going to dance _La
Calandria_. She dances divinely."

"I can't, little friend, but I'll be back." The uproar increased.

Yeyeng appeared fancifully dressed, with the "_Da uste su
permiso_?" and Carvajal was answering her, "_Pase uste adelante_,"
when two soldiers of the Civil Guard went up to Don Filipo and ordered
him to stop the performance.

"Why?" asked the teniente-mayor in surprise.

"Because the alferez and his wife have been fighting and can't sleep."

"Tell the alferez that we have permission from the alcalde and that
against such permission _no one_ in the town has any authority,
not even the gobernadorcillo himself, and _he_ is my _only superior_."

"W