The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home
The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home
The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home
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CHAPTER XXVII 134<br />
CHAPTER XXVII<br />
In the Twilight<br />
In Capitan Tiago's house also great preparations had been made. We know its owner, whose love of<br />
ostentation and whose pride as a Manilan imposed the necessity of humiliating the provincials with his<br />
splendor. Another reason, too, made it his duty to eclipse all others: he had his daughter Maria Clara with him,<br />
and there was present his future son-in-law, who was attracting universal attention.<br />
In fact one of the most serious newspapers in Manila had devoted to Ibarra an article on its front page,<br />
entitled, "Imitate him!" heaping him with praise and giving him some advice. It had called him, "<strong>The</strong><br />
cultivated young gentleman and rich capitalist;" two lines further on, "<strong>The</strong> distinguished philanthropist;" in<br />
the following paragraph, "<strong>The</strong> disciple of Minerva who had gone to the mother country to pay his respects to<br />
the true home of the arts and sciences;" and a little further on, "<strong>The</strong> Filipino Spaniard." Capitan Tiago burned<br />
with generous zeal to imitate him and wondered whether he ought not to erect a convento at his own expense.<br />
Some days before there had arrived at the house where Maria Clara and Aunt Isabel were staying a profusion<br />
of eases of European wines and food-stuffs, colossal mirrors, paintings, and Maria Clara's piano. Capitan<br />
Tiago had arrived on the day before the fiesta and as his daughter kissed his hand, had presented her with a<br />
beautiful locket set with diamonds and emeralds, containing a sliver from St. Peter's boat, in which Our Savior<br />
sat during the fishing. His first interview with his future son-in-law could not have been more cordial.<br />
Naturally, they talked about the school, and Capitan Tiago wanted it named "School of St. Francis." "Believe<br />
me," he said, "St. Francis is a good patron. If you call it 'School of Primary Instruction,' you will gain nothing.<br />
Who is Primary Instruction, anyhow?"<br />
Some friends of Maria Clara came and asked her to go for a walk. "But come back quickly," said Capitan<br />
Tiago to his daughter, when she asked his permission, "for you know that Padre Damaso, who has just<br />
arrived, will dine with us."<br />
<strong>The</strong>n turning to Ibarra, who had become thoughtful, he said, "You dine with us also, you'll be all alone in your<br />
house."<br />
"I would with the greatest pleasure, but I have to be at home in case visitors come," stammered the youth, as<br />
he avoided the gaze of Maria Clara.<br />
"Bring your friends along," replied Capitan Tiago heartily. "In my house there's always plenty to eat. Also, I<br />
want you and Padre Damaso to get on good terms."<br />
"<strong>The</strong>re'll be time enough for that," answered Ibarra with a forced smile, as he prepared to accompany the girls.<br />
<strong>The</strong>y went downstairs, Maria Clara in the center between Victoria and Iday, Aunt Isabel following. <strong>The</strong><br />
people made way for them respectfully. Maria Clara was startling in her beauty; her pallor was all gone, and if<br />
her eyes were still pensive, her mouth on the contrary seemed to know only smiles. With maiden friendliness<br />
the happy young woman greeted the acquaintances of her childhood, now the admirers of her promising<br />
youth. In less than a fortnight she had succeeded in recovering that frank confidence, that childish prattle,<br />
which seemed to have been benumbed between the narrow walls of the nunnery. It might be said that on<br />
leaving the cocoon the butterfly recognized all the flowers, for it seemed to be enough for her to spread her<br />
wings for a moment and warm herself in the sun's rays to lose all the stiffness of the chrysalis. This new life<br />
manifested itself in her whole nature. Everything she found good and beautiful, and she showed her love with<br />
that maiden modesty which, having never been conscious of any but pure thoughts, knows not the meaning of<br />
false blushes. While she would cover her face when she was teased, still her eyes smiled, and a light thrill<br />
would course through her whole being.