Comings and goings, cries, exclamations, bursts of laughter, jokes, a whistle, swelled the tumult. Here the leg of a bench gave way and precipitated those on it, to the delight of the spectators; there was a dispute for place; and a little beyond a fracas of glasses and bottles. It was Andeng, carrying a great tray of drinks, and unfortunately she had encountered her fiance, who was disposed to profit by the occasion. The lieutenant, Don Filipo, was in charge of the spectacle, for the gobernadorcillo was playing monte, of which he was a passionate devotee. Don Filipo was talking with old Tasio, who was on the point of leaving. "Aren't you going to see the play?" "No, thank you! My own mind suffices for rambling and dreaming," replied the philosopher, laughing. "But I have a question to propose. Have you ever observed the strange nature of our people? Pacific, they love warlike spectacles; democratic, they adore emperors, kings, and princes; irreligious, they ruin themselves in the pomps of the ritual; the nature of our women is gentle, but they have deliriums of delight when a princess brandishes a lance. Do you know the cause of all this? Well----" The arrival of Maria Clara and her friends cut short the conversation. Don Filipo accompanied them to their places. Then came the curate, with his usual retinue. The evening began with Chananay and Marianito in "Crispino and the Gossip." The scene fixed the attention of every one. The act was ending when Ibarra entered. His coming excited a murmur, and eyes turned from him to the curate. But Crisostomo observed nothing. He gracefully saluted Maria and her friends and sat down. The only one who spoke to him was Sinang. "Have you been watching the fireworks?" she asked. "No, little friend, I had to accompany the governor-general." "That was too bad!" Brother Salvi had risen, gone to Don Filipo, and appeared to be having with him a serious discussion. He spoke with heat, the lieutenant calmly and quietly. "I am sorry not to be able to satisfy your reverence, but Senor Ibarra is one of the chief contributors to the fete, and has a perfect right to be here so long as he creates no disturbance." "But is it not creating a disturbance to scandalize all good Christians?" "Father," replied Don Filipo, "my slight authority does not permit me to interfere in religious matters. Let those who fear Senor Ibarra's contact avoid him: he forces himself upon no one; the senor alcalde and the captain-general have been in his company all the afternoon; it hardly becomes me to give them a lesson." "If you do not put him out of the place, we shall go." "I should be very sorry, but I have no authority to remove him." The curate repented of his threat, but there was now no remedy. He motioned to his companions, who rose reluctantly, and all went out, not without hostile glances toward Ibarra. The whisperings and murmurs began again. Several people came up to Crisostomo and said: