surprised. His Excellency must be irritated to dare to
make the friars wait. Father Sibyla said: "I have nothing to say to
him.... I am losing time here!"

"It's the same with me," said an Augustine. "Shall we go?"

"Would it not be better for us to find out what he thinks?" asked
Father Salvi. "We would avoid a scandal ... and ... we would be able
to call to his mind his duty to ... the Church."

"Your Reverences can walk in, if you wish," announced the adjutant,
as he escorted out the young man, whose face was now, however,
glowing with satisfaction.

Friar Sibyla entered first. Behind him came Father Salvi, Father
Manuel Martin and the other priests. They all humbly saluted the
Governor General, with the exception of Father Sibyla, who preserved
even in his bow, an air of superiority. Father Salvi, on the contrary,
almost touched the floor with his head.

"Which of Your Reverences is Father Damaso?" asked His Excellency
unexpectedly, without having them sit down, or even asking about
their health, and without addressing them with any of those courteous
phrases which are customary with such high personages.

"Father Damaso is not among us, senor," replied Father Sibyla,
rather dryly.

"Your Excellency's servant lies ill in bed," added Father Salvi
meekly. "After having the pleasure of saluting you and of inquiring
about the health of Your Excellency, as befits all the good servants of
the King and all persons of good education, we also come in the name of
the respectful servant of Your Excellency who has the misfortune...."

"Oh," interrupted the Governor General, as he turned a chair around on
one leg and smiled nervously. "If all the servants of My Excellency
were like His Reverence Father Damaso, I would prefer to serve My
Excellency myself."

The Reverences did not know how to respond to this interruption.

"Take a seat, Your Reverences!" he added after a short pause, softening
his tone a little.

Captain Tiago came in dressed in a frock coat and walking on
tip-toes. He was leading Maria Clara by the hand. The young maiden was
trembling when she entered, but notwithstanding she made a graceful
and ceremonious bow.

"Is this your daughter?" asked the Governor General, somewhat
surprised.

"And Your Excellency's, my General," replied Captain Tiago
seriously. [14]

The Alcalde and the adjutants opened wide their eyes, but His
Excellency did not lose his gravity. He extended his hand to the
young