CHAPTER XXIX
THE ENIGMA.
As Lucas had announced, Ibarra arrived the next day. His first visitwas to the family of Captain Tiago, with the object of seeing MariaClara and telling her that His Most Illustrious Greatness had alreadyreconciled him with the Church. He brought a letter of recommendationto the curate, written by the hand of the Archbishop himself. AuntIsabel was not a little delighted over it, for she liked the youngman and did not look favorably upon the marriage of her niece withLinares. 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 hasdis-excommunicated him."
But the young man could not advance. His smile froze on his lips, andwords fled from his mind. Linares was standing next to Maria Clara onthe balcony, interweaving nosegays with the flowers and leaves on theclimbing plants. On the floor, were scattered roses and sampagas. MariaClara was leaning back on a sofa, pale, pensive, her look sad, playingwith 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'scheeks were tinged with carmine. She tried to rise, but her strengthfailing her, she cast her eyes upon the floor, and let fall her fan.
An embarrassing silence reigned for several seconds. Finally, Ibarrawas able to advance, and tremblingly murmured:
"I have just arrived and have hastened to see you.... I find thatyou are better than I thought."
Maria Clara seemed to have turned dumb. She could not pronounce asingle word, and continued to keep her eyes on the floor.
Ibarra surveyed Linares with a look which the modest young man borewith 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 willbe able to explain to you my conduct."
These words were accompanied with a look at Linares. The maidenraised her eyes to Ibarra, those beautiful eyes, full of purity andmelancholy, 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 hismind, and his heart was chilled. What he had just seen and felt wasincomprehensible. What was it? Doubt, apathy or treason?
"Oh, woman!" he murmured.
He arrived, without noticing it, at the place where the school housewas being constructed. The work was well along. Nor Juan, with hisyard stick and plumb-line, was going to and fro among the numerousworkmen. On seeing the young man approach, he ran to meet him.
"Don Crisostomo," said he, "you have arrived at last. We were allexpecting you. Just see how the walls are rising. They are alreadya meter and ten centimeters high. Within two days, they will be ashigh as a man. I have not allowed them to use anything but the bestof 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 toadd," said Nor Juan. "These underground canals lead to a cesspoolabout thirty feet off. It will serve to fertilize the garden. Thiswas not in the plans. Do you object to it?"
"Quite on the contrary, I approve of it and I congratulate you onyour idea. You are a true architect. From whom did you learn theprofession?"
"From myself, senor," replied the modest old man.
"O, yes! Before I forget it: let the scrupulous people know (forsome may fear to speak to me) that I am no longer excommunicated. TheArchbishop invited me to dine with him."
"Pshaw! senor! We don't take any notice of excommunications. We areall excommunicated. Dather Damaso 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 withhis cane, and the coadjutor is as much a priest as he. Who takes anynotice of excommunications, senor?"
Ibarra caught sight of Elias among the workmen. He saluted him likethe others, but with a look that gave Ibarra to understand that hewanted to speak with him.
"Nor Juan," said Ibarra, "will you bring me a list of the workmen?"
Nor Juan disappeared and Ibarra approached Elias, who was alone,raising a large stone and loading it in a cart.
"If you are able, senor, to grant me some hours of conversation, comethis afternoon to the shore of the lake and embark in my banca, for Iwant to talk with you about some serious matters," said Elias. Ibarragave a nod of assent and went away.
Nor Juan brought the list, but Ibarra read it in vain. The name ofElias was not on it.