Chapter Xlviii

CHAPTER XLVIII

 As Lucas had foretold, Ibarra arrived on

the following day. His first visit was to the family of Capitan Tiago for the purpose of seeing Maria Clara and informing her that his Grace had reconciled him with religion, and that he brought to the curate a letter of recommendation in the handwriting of the Archbishop himself. Aunt Isabel was not a little rejoiced at this, for she liked the young man and did not look favorably on the marriage of her niece with Linares. Capitan Tiago was not at

 But Ibarra was unable to advance,

the smile froze on his lips, words failed him. Standing on the balcony at the side of Maria Clara was Linares, arranging bouquets of flowers and leaves. Roses and sampaguitas were scattered about on the floor.

 At the appearance of Ibarra, Linares

turned pale and Maria Clara's cheeks flushed crimson. An embarrassed silence prevailed for a few moments. Ibarra was then able to move forward and murmur tremblingly, "I've just got back and have come immediately to see you. I find you better than I had thought I should."

 Ibarra looked Linares over from head to

foot with a stare which the bashful youth bore haughtily. "Well, I see that my arrival was unexpected," said Ibarra slowly. "Maria, pardon me that I didn't have myself announced. At some other time I'll be able to make explanations to you about my conduct. We'll still see one another surely." These last words were accompanied by a look at Linares. The girl raised toward him her lovely eyes, full of purity and sadness. They were so beseeching and eloquent that Ibarra stopped in confusion.

 Ibarra withdrew in apparent calm,

but with a tempest in his head and ice in his heart. What he had just seen and felt was incomprehensible to him: was it doubt, dislike, or faithlessness? "Oh, only a woman after all!" he murmured. 

 Ibarra withdrew in apparent calm,

but with a tempest in his head and ice in his heart. What he had just seen and felt was incomprehensible to him: was it doubt, dislike, or faithlessness? "Oh, only a woman after all!" he murmured. 

 Taking no note of where he was

going, he reached the spot where the school house was under construction. The work was well advanced, Nor Juan with his mile and plumb-bob coming and going among the numerous laborers. Upon catching sight of Ibarra he ran to meet him.

 Taking no note of where he was

going, he reached the spot where the school house was under construction. The work was well advanced, Nor Juan with his mile and plumb-bob coming and going among the numerous laborers. Upon catching sight of Ibarra he ran to meet him.

 The

workmen saluted Ibarra respectfully, while Nor Juan made voluble explanations. "Here is the piping that I have taken the liberty to add," he said. "These subterranean conduits lead to a sort of cesspool, thirty yards away. It will help fertilize the garden. There was nothing of that in the plan. Does it displease you?" "Quite the contrary, I approve what you've done and congratulate you. You are a real architect. From whom did you learn the

 "Oh, before I forget about it--tell those

who may have scruples, if perhaps there is any one who fears to speak to me, that I'm no longer excommunicated. The Archbishop invited me to dinner." "_Aba_, sir, we don't pay any attention to excommunications! All of us are excommunicated. Padre Damaso himself is and yet he stays fat." "How's that?" "It's true, sir, for a year ago he caned the coadjutor, who is just as much a sacred person as he is. Who

 Among the laborers Ibarra caught sight

of Elias, who, as he saluted him along with the others, gave him to understand by a look that he had something to say to him. "Nor Juan," said Ibarra, "will you bring me your list of the laborers?" Nor Juan disappeared, and Ibarra approached Elias, who was by himself, lifting a heavy stone into a cart. "If you can grant me a few hours' conversation, sir, walk down to the shore of the lake this evening and get into my banka." The youth nodded, and Elias moved away. Nor Juan now