ate.

"His Excellency will arrive at four o'clock this afternoon, gentlemen,"
said the Alcalde solemnly. "We can finish at our leisure."

Leonidas, in the pass of Thermopylae, could not have said with better
grace "To-night we will dine with Pluto."

"I notice the absence of our great preacher," said one of the
government employees timidly. The speaker had an inoffensive look
and before this had not opened his mouth, except to eat, during the
entire morning.

All who knew the life of Crisostomo's father twitched their eyes
significantly and seemed to say by their movements: "Go on! It's a bad
beginning that you have made!" But others, more benevolently disposed,
replied: "He must be somewhat fatigued."

"What? Somewhat fatigued!" exclaimed the alferez. "Why, he must be
exhausted. What did you think of the sermon this morning?"

"Superb, gigantic!" said the Notary.

"To be able to speak like Father Damaso, a man needs lungs," observed
Father Manuel Martin.

The Augustine did not concede more than lung power.

"And such easiness of expression," added Father Salvi.

"Do you know that Senor Ibarra has the best cook in the province,"
remarked the Alcalde, cutting off the conversation.

"So they say," replied one of the Government employees, "but his fair
neighbor does not wish to do honor to his table, for she scarcely
takes a mouthful."

Maria Clara blushed.

"I thank you, Senor.... You occupy yourself too much about me ... but
..." she said timidly.

"But your presence honors him sufficiently," concluded the gallant
Alcalde. Then turning to Father Salvi: "Father Curate, I notice that
you have been silent and pensive all day long."

"It is my nature," muttered the Franciscan. "I would rather listen
than talk."

"Your Reverence seeks always to gain and never to lose," replied the
alferez, in a joking manner.

But Father Salvi did not take it as a joke. His eyes flashed a
moment and he replied: "You know very well, Senor Alferez, that,
during these days, I am not the one who gains most!"

The alferez overlooked the fling with a false laugh and pretended
not to hear it.

"But, gentlemen, I do not understand how you can be talking about
gains and losses," intervened the Alcalde. "What will these amiable
and discreet young women, who honor us with their presence, think
of us? To my mind, the young women are like AEolian harps in the
night. It is only necessary to lend an attentive ear to hear them,
for