ss than in other things,
I see the necessity of reforms."

"Can it be possible, senor," said Elias, discouraged and stretching
out his hands. "Do you not see the necessity of reforms, you whose
family----"

"Ah! I forget myself and I forget my own injuries for the sake of
the security of the Philippines, for the sake of the interests of
Spain," interrupted Ibarra eagerly. "To preserve the Philippines it
is necessary that the friars continue as they are, and in union with
Spain lies the welfare of our country."

Ibarra had ceased speaking, but Elias continued to listen. His face
was sad, his eyes had lost their brilliancy.

"The missionaries conquered the country, it is true," he said. "Do
you think that Spain will be able to keep the Philippines through
the instrumentality of the friars?"

"Yes, only through the friars. This is the belief held by all who
have written on the Philippines."

"Oh!" exclaimed Elias, discouraged and throwing his paddle into the
bottom of the banca. "I did not think that you had so poor a conception
of the Government and of the country."

Ibarra replied: "I love our country, not only because it is the
duty of all men to love the country to which they owe their being,
not only because my father taught me so; but also because my mother
was a native, an Indian, and because all my most beautiful memories
live in these islands. I love it too, because I owe it my happiness
and will continue to do so."

"And I, I love it because I owe to it my misfortunes," said Elias.

"Yes, my friend, I know that you are suffering, that you are
unfortunate, and that this makes you see a dark future and influences
your way of thinking. For this reason, I make allowance for your
complaints. If I were able to appreciate the motives, if I had known
part of that past----"

"My misfortunes have another source. If I had known that they would
have been of usefulness, I would have related them, for aside from
that, I make no secret of them. They are well enough known by many."

"Perhaps knowing them would rectify my opinions. You know I do not
rely much upon theories; facts are better guides."

Elias remained pensive for some moments.

"If that is the case, senor," he replied, "I will relate briefly the
history of my misfortunes."

CHAPTER XXXI

ELIAS'S FAMILY.

"Some sixty years ago my grandfather lived in Manila and kept books
for a Spanish merchant. My grandfather was then very young, bu