Part 63

The man counted his pieces.

"I have two hundred; fifty against forty!"

"No!" said Bruno resolutely.

"Good! Fifty against thirty!"

"Double it if you will."

"A hundred against sixty, then!"

"Agreed! Wait while I go for the money," and turning to his brother he said:

"Go away if you want to; I shall stay!"

Társilo reflected. He loved Bruno, and he loved sport.

"I am with you," he said. They found José.

"Uncle," said Társilo, "how much will you give?" "I've told you already; if you will promise to find others to help surprise the quarters, I'll give you thirty pesos each, and ten to each companion. If all goes well, they will each receive a hundred, and you double. Don Crisóstomo is rich!"

"Agreed!" cried Bruno; "give us the money!"

"I knew you were like your father! Come this way, so that those who killed him cannot hear us," said José. And drawing them into a corner, he added as he counted out the money:

"Don Crisóstomo has come and brought the arms. To-morrow night at eight o'clock meet me in the cemetery. I will give you the final word. Go find your companions." And he left them.

The brothers appeared to have exchanged rôles. Társilo now seemed undisturbed; Bruno was pale. They went back to the crowd, which was leaving the circle for the raised seats. Little by little the place became silent. Only the soltadores were left in the ring holding two cocks, with exaggerated care, looking out for wounds. The silence became solemn; the spectators became mere caricatures of men; the fight was about to begin.

XLV.

A CALL.

Two days later Brother Salvi presented himself at the house of Captain Tiago. The Franciscan was more gaunt and pale than usual; but as he went up the steps a strange light shone in his eyes, and his lips parted in a strange smile. Captain Tiago kissed his hand, and took his hat and cane, smiling beatifically.

"I bring good news," said the curate as he entered the drawing-room; "good news for everybody. I have letters from Manila confirming the one Señor Ibarra brought me, so that I believe, Don Santiago, the obstacle is quite removed."

Maria Clara, seated at the piano, made a movement to rise, but her strength failed her and she had to sit down again. Linares grew pale; Captain Tiago lowered his eyes.

"The young man seems to me very sympathetic," said the curate. "At first I misjudged him. He is impulsive, but when he commits a fault, he knows so well how to atone for it that one is forced to forgive him. If it were not for Father Dámaso----" And the curate flashed a glance at Maria Clara. She was listening with all her being, but did not take her eyes off her music, in spite of the pinches that were expressing Sinang's joy. Had they been alone they would have danced.

"But Father Dámaso has said," continued the curate, without losing sight of Maria Clara, "that as godfather he could not permit; but, indeed, I believe if Señor Ibarra will ask his pardon everything will arrange itself."

Maria rose, made an excuse, and with Victorina left the room.

"And if Father Dámaso does not pardon him?" asked Don Santiago in a low voice.

"Then Maria Clara must decide. But I believe the matter can be arranged."

The sound of an arrival was heard, and Ibarra entered. His coming made a strange impression. Captain Tiago did not know whether to smile or weep. Father Salvi rose and offered his hand so affectionately that Crisóstomo could scarcely repress a look of surprise.

"Where have you been all day?" demanded wicked Sinang. "We asked each other: 'What can have taken that soul newly rescued from perdition?' and each of us had her opinion."

"And am I to know what each opinion was?"