The Social Cancer, by José Rizal - Home

CHAPTER XL 192
Clara up in his arms and disappear into the darkness. So he went down the stairway by leaps and bounds, and
without hat or cane made for the plaza like a madman. There he met some Spaniards who were reprimanding
the soldiers, but on looking toward the seats that the girls had occupied he saw that they were vacant.
"Padre! Padre!" cried the Spaniards, but he paid no attention to them as he ran in the direction of Capitan
Tiago's. There he breathed more freely, for he saw in the open hallway the adorable silhouette, full of grace
and soft in outline, of Maria Clara, and that of the aunt carrying cups and glasses.
"Ah!" he murmured, "it seems that she has been taken sick only."
Aunt Isabel at that moment closed the windows and the graceful shadow was no longer to be seen. The curate
moved away without heeding the crowd. He had before his eyes the beautiful form of a maiden sleeping and
breathing sweetly. Her eyelids were shaded by long lashes which formed graceful curves like those of the
Virgins of Raphael, the little mouth was smiling, all the features breathed forth virginity, purity, and
innocence. That countenance formed a sweet vision in the midst of the white coverings of her bed like the
head of a cherub among the clouds. His imagination went still further--but who can write what a burning brain
can imagine?
Perhaps only the newspaper correspondent, who concluded his account of the fiesta and its accompanying
incidents in the following manner:
"A thousand thanks, infinite thanks, to the opportune and active intervention of the Very Reverend Padre Fray
Bernardo Salvi, who, defying every danger in the midst of the unbridled mob, without hat or cane, calmed the
wrath of the crowd, using only his persuasive word with the majesty and authority that are never lacking to a
minister of a Religion of Peace. With unparalleled self-abnegation this virtuous priest tore himself from sweet
repose, such as every good conscience like his enjoys, and rushed to protect his flock from the least harm. The
people of San Diego will hardly forget this sublime deed of their heroic Pastor, remembering to hold
themselves grateful to him for all eternity!"