CHAPTER V
AN IDYL ON THE AZOTEA. [3]
On the morning after the dinner party, Aunt Isabel and Maria Clara
went to mass early: the former carefully carrying her glasses, so that
she might be able to read "The Anchor of Salvation" during communion;
the latter beautifully dressed, carrying her rosary of blue beads
as a bracelet. The priest had scarcely left the altar when, to the
disgust and surprise of her good aunt, who thought that her niece was
as pious and as fond of prayer as a nun, the young girl desired to go
home. After a great deal of grumbling, the old lady crossed herself
several times, and the two arose to leave. "Never mind," said Maria,
to cut off the scolding, "the good God will pardon me. He ought to
understand the heart of a girl better than you, Aunt Isabel."
After breakfast, Maria Clara occupied herself with some embroidery
while her aunt bustled about with a duster removing the traces of
the social event of the preceding evening. Captain Tiago was busy
examining some papers.
Every noise in the street and every passing carriage made the girl
tremble with anxiety and wish that she were again back in the convent
among her friends. There, she thought, she could see him without
trembling and with perfect equanimity.
"I believe, Maria, that the doctor is right," said Captain Tiago. "You
ought to go to the provinces. You are looking very pale and need a
change of air. How does Malabon strike you, or San Diego?"
At the mere mention of the latter name, Maria Clara blushed and was
unable to speak.
"Now, you and Isabel go to the convent to get your things and say
good bye to your friends," continued the Captain, without raising
his head. "You will not return there. And in four or five days, when
your clothes are ready we shall go to Malabon. --Your godfather,
by the way, is not in San Diego at present. The priest whom you saw
here last night, that young fellow, is now the priest in the town. He
is a saint."
"I think you will find San Diego better, cousin," said Aunt
Isabel. "Our house there is better than the one in Malabon, and
besides, it is nearly time for the fiesta to take place."
Maria Clara was about to embrace her aunt for these welcome words,
but just then a carriage stopped in front of the house and the young
girl suddenly turned pale.
"That's so," said the Captain, and then, in a changed tone, exclaimed,
