But the young man could not advance. His smile froze on his lips, and words fled from his mind. Linares was standing next to Maria Clara on the balcony, interweaving nosegays with the flowers and leaves on the climbing plants. On the floor, were scattered roses and sampagas. Maria Clara was leaning back on a sofa, pale, pensive, her look sad, playing with 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's cheeks were tinged with carmine. She tried to rise, but her strength failing her, she cast her eyes upon the floor, and let fall her fan. An embarrassing silence reigned for several seconds. Finally, Ibarra was able to advance, and tremblingly murmured: "I have just arrived and have hastened to see you.... I find that you are better than I thought." Maria Clara seemed to have turned dumb. She could not pronounce a single word, and continued to keep her eyes on the floor. Ibarra surveyed Linares with a look which the modest young man bore with 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 will be able to explain to you my conduct." These words were accompanied with a look at Linares. The maiden raised her eyes to Ibarra, those beautiful eyes, full of purity and melancholy, 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 his mind, and his heart was chilled. What he had just seen and felt was incomprehensible. What was it? Doubt, apathy or treason? "Oh, woman!" he murmured. He arrived, without noticing it, at the place where the school house was being constructed. The work was well along. Ñor Juan, with his yard stick and plumb-line, was going to and fro among the numerous workmen. On seeing the young man approach, he ran to meet him. "Don Crisostomo," said he, "you have arrived at last. We were all expecting you. Just see how the walls are rising. They are already a meter and ten centimeters high. Within two days, they will be as high as a man. I have not allowed them to use anything but the best of 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 to add," said Ñor Juan. "These underground canals lead to a cesspool about thirty feet off. It will serve to fertilize the garden. This was not in the plans. Do you object to it?" "Quite on the contrary, I approve of it and I congratulate you on your idea. You are a true architect. From whom did you learn the profession?" "From myself, señor," replied the modest old man.