"Do you know who Don Pedro Eibarramendia was? Don Pedro Eibarramendia was the wretch who caused all our misfortune! I have long been searching for his descendants; God has delivered you into my hands! Look at me! Do you think I have suffered? And you live, and you love, and have a fortune and a home; you live, you live!" and, beside himself, he ran toward a collection of arms on the wall. But no sooner had he reached down two poniards than he dropped them, looking blindly at Ibarra, who stood rigid. "What was I going to do?" he said under his breath, and he fled like a madman. XLVII. THE CATASTROPHE. Captain Tiago, Aunt Isabel, and Linares were dining. Maria Clara had said she was not hungry, and was at the piano with Sinang. The two girls had arranged this moment for meeting Ibarra away from too watchful eyes. The clock struck eight. "He's coming! Listen!" cried the laughing Sinang. He entered, white and sad. Maria Clara, in alarm, started toward him, but before any one could speak a fusilade sounded in the street; then random pistol shots, and cries and clamor. Crisostomo seemed glued to the floor. The diners came running in crying: "The tulisanes! The tulisanes!" Aunt Isabel fell on her knees half dead from fright, Captain Tiago was weeping. Some one rushed about fastening the windows. The tumult continued outside; then little by little there fell a dreadful silence. Presently the alferez was heard crying out as he ran through the street: "Father Salvi! Father Salvi!" "Mercy!" exclaimed Aunt Isabel. "The alferez is asking for confession!" "The alferez is wounded!" murmured Linares, with an expression of the utmost relief. "The tulisanes have killed the alferez! Maria, Sinang, into your chamber! Barricade the door!" In spite of the protests of Aunt Isabel, Ibarra went out into the street. Everything seemed turning round and round him; his ears rang; he could scarcely move his limbs. Spots of blood, flashes of light and darkness alternated before his eyes. The streets were deserted, but the barracks were in confusion, and voices came from the tribunal, that of the alferez dominating all the others. Ibarra passed unchallenged, and reached his home, where his servants were anxiously watching for him. "Saddle me the best horse and go to bed," he said to them. He entered his cabinet and began to pack a valise. He had put in his money and jewels and Maria's picture and was gathering up his papers when there came three resounding knocks at the house door. "Open in the name of the King! Open or we force the door!" said an imperious voice. Ibarra armed himself and looked toward the window; then changed his mind, threw down his revolver, and went to the door. Three guards immediately seized him. "I make you prisoner in the name of the King!" said the sergeant. "Why?" "You will learn at the tribunal; I am forbidden to talk with you." "I am at your disposition. It will not be for, I suppose, long."