ning a splinter from the fishing-boat
of St. Peter. Scarcely had he come when a party of Maria's friends
came to take her out to see the streets.

"Go," said Captain Tiago, "but come back soon. Father Damaso, you know,
is to dine with us. You, too, Crisostomo, must join us."

"With the greatest pleasure," stammered Ibarra, avoiding Maria Clara's
eyes, "if I did not feel that I must be at home to receive whoever
may come."

"Bring your friends here; there is always room at my table," said
Captain Tiago, somewhat coldly. "I wish Father Damaso and you to come
to an understanding."

"There is yet time," said Ibarra, forcing a smile.

As they descended to the street, Aunt Isabel following, people moved
aside to let them pass. Maria Clara was a vision of loveliness: her
pallor had disappeared, and if her eyes remained pensive, her mouth
seemed to know only smiles. With the amiability characteristic of
happy young womanhood she saluted the people she had known as a child,
and they smiled back their admiration. In these few days of freedom she
had regained the frank friendliness, the gracious speech, which seemed
to have slumbered inside the narrow walls of her convent. She felt a
new, intense life within her, and everything without seemed good and
beautiful. She showed her love for Ibarra with that maiden sweetness
which comes from pure thoughts and knows no reason for false blushes.

At regular intervals in the streets were kindled great clustered
lights with bamboo supports, like candelabra. People were beginning
to illuminate their houses, and through the open windows one could
see the guests moving about in the radiance among the flowers to
the music of harp, piano, or orchestra. Outside, in gala costume,
native or European, Chinese, Spaniards, and Filipinos were moving
in all directions, escaping with difficulty the crush of carriages
and calashes.

When the party reached Captain Basilio's house, Sinang saw them,
and ran down the steps.

"Come up till I'm ready to go out with you," she said. "I'm weary of
all these strangers who talk of nothing but cocks and cards."

The house was full of people. Many came up to greet Crisostomo, and
all admired Maria Clara. "Beautiful as the Virgin!" the old dames
whispered, chewing their buyo.

Here they must take chocolate. As they were leaving, Captain Basilio
said in Ibarra's ear:

"Won't you join us this evening? Father Damaso is going to make up
a little purse."

I