people who make it their business to escort the friars.

"May God reward them in another life," said the old man, referring
to them as he walked away from Maria Clara's party.

The performance began with Chananay and Marianito in Crispinoe la
Comare. Everybody had eyes and ears intent upon the stage, except
one, Father Salvi. He seemed to have come to the theatre for no other
purpose than to watch Maria Clara, whose sadness gave to her beauty
an air so ideal and interesting that everybody looked upon her with
rapture. But the Franciscan's eyes, deeply hidden in their hollow
orbits, spoke no words of rapture. In that sombre look one could read
something desperately sad. With such eyes Cain might have contemplated
from afar the Paradise whose delights his mother had pictured to him.

The act was just ending when Ibarra arrived. His presence occasioned
a buzz of conversation. The attention of everybody was fixed on him
and on the curate.

But the young man did not seem to be aware of it, for he greeted
Maria Clara and her friends with naturalness and sat down at their
side. The only one who spoke was Sinang.

"Did you see the volcano when they touched it off?" she asked.

"No, my little friend. I had to accompany the Governor General."

"Well, that is too bad! The curate came with us and he was telling
us stories about condemned people. What do you think? Doesn't he do
it to make us afraid so that we cannot enjoy ourselves? How does it
appear to you?"

The curate arose and approached Don Filipo, with whom he seemed to
be having a lively discussion. He was speaking with animation and
Don Filipo replying with moderation and in a low voice.

"I am sorry that I cannot please Your Reverence," said the
latter. "Senor Ibarra is one of the heaviest tax-payers and has a
right to sit here as long as he does not disturb the public order."

"But is not scandalizing good Christians disturbing the public
order? You let a wolf into the flock. You will be held responsible
for this before God and before the authorities of the town."

"I always hold myself responsible for acts which emanate from my own
will, Father," replied Don Filipo, slightly inclining his head. "But
my little authority does not give me power to meddle in religious
affairs. Those who wish to avoid contact with him do not have to
speak to him. Senor Ibarra does not force himself on any one."

"But he affords danger. He who loves danger perishes in it."

"I