CHAPTER XXIX
THE ENIGMA.
As Lucas had announced, Ibarra arrived the next day. His first visit
was to the family of Captain Tiago, with the object of seeing Maria
Clara and telling her that His Most Illustrious Greatness had already
reconciled him with the Church. He brought a letter of recommendation
to the curate, written by the hand of the Archbishop himself. Aunt
Isabel was not a little delighted over it, for she liked the young
man and did not look favorably upon the marriage of her niece with
Linares. Captain Tiago was not at home.
"Come in," said the aunt in her half-Castellano language. "Maria,
Don Crisostomo is again in the grace of God. The Archbishop has
dis-excommunicated him."
But the young man could not advance. His smile froze on his lips, and
words fled from his mind. Linares was standing next to Maria Clara on
the balcony, interweaving nosegays with the flowers and leaves on the
climbing plants. On the floor, were scattered roses and sampagas. Maria
Clara was leaning back on a sofa, pale, pensive, her look sad, playing
with her ivory fan. But the fan was not as white as her poor fingers.
At the presence of Ibarra, Linares turned pale and Maria Clara's
cheeks were tinged with carmine. She tried to rise, but her strength
failing her, she cast her eyes upon the floor, and let fall her fan.
An embarrassing silence reigned for several seconds. Finally, Ibarra
was able to advance, and tremblingly murmured:
"I have just arrived and have hastened to see you.... I find that
you are better than I thought."
Maria Clara seemed to have turned dumb. She could not pronounce a
single word, and continued to keep her eyes on the floor.
Ibarra surveyed Linares with a look which the modest young man bore
with considerable haughtiness.
"Well, I see that my arrival was not expected," he said slowly. "Maria,
pardon me for not having announced my coming. Some other day I will
be able to explain to you my conduct."
These words were accompanied with a look at Linares. The maiden
raised her eyes to Ibarra, those beautiful eyes, full of purity and
melancholy, so supplicating and sweet that Ibarra stopped confused.
"May I come to-morrow?"
"You know that on my part you are always welcome," replied she,
scarcely able to pronounce the words.
Ibarra walked away, apparently tranquil; but a tempest raged in his
mind, and his heart was chilled. What he had just seen and felt was
incomprehensible. What was it? Doubt, apathy or treason?
"Oh, woman!" he murmured.
He arrived, without noticing it, at the place where the school house
was being constructed. The work was well along. Ñor Juan, with his
yard stick and plumb-line, was going to and fro among the numerous
workmen. On seeing the young man approach, he ran to meet him.
"Don Crisostomo," said he, "you have arrived at last. We were all
expecting you. Just see how the walls are rising. They are already
a meter and ten centimeters high. Within two days, they will be as
high as a man. I have not allowed them to use anything but the best
of wood. Do you want to look at the cellar?"
The workmen saluted him respectfully.
"Here is the system of drainage which I have taken the liberty to
add," said Ñor Juan. "These underground canals lead to a cesspool
about thirty feet off. It will serve to fertilize the garden. This
was not in the plans. Do you object to it?"
"Quite on the contrary, I approve of it and I congratulate you on
your idea. You are a true architect. From whom did you learn the
profession?"
"From myself, señor," replied the modest old man.
"O, yes! Before I forget it: let the scrupulous people know (for
some may fear to speak to me) that I am no longer excommunicated. The
Archbishop invited me to dine with him."
"Pshaw! señor! We don't take any notice of excommunications. We are
all excommunicated. Dather Dámaso is himself; however, he goes on,
as fat as ever."
"How's that?"
"I feel sure about it. A year ago he gave the coadjutor a blow with
his cane, and the coadjutor is as much a priest as he. Who takes any
notice of excommunications, señor?"
Ibarra caught sight of Elias among the workmen. He saluted him like
the others, but with a look that gave Ibarra to understand that he
wanted to speak with him.
"Ñor Juan," said Ibarra, "will you bring me a list of the workmen?"
Ñor Juan disappeared and Ibarra approached Elias, who was alone,
raising a large stone and loading it in a cart.
"If you are able, señor, to grant me some hours of conversation, come
this afternoon to the shore of the lake and embark in my banca, for I
want to talk with you about some serious matters," said Elias. Ibarra
gave a nod of assent and went away.
Ñor Juan brought the list, but Ibarra read it in vain. The name of
Elias was not on it.
