CHAPTER XV
AS NIGHT COMES ON.
Great preparations had also been made in the house of Captain Tiago. Weare already acquainted with the man. His love for pomp and his pride inbeing a resident of Manila made it necessary that he should outdo theresidents of the province in the splendor of his celebration. Therewas another thing, too, which made it necessary that he should tryto eclipse all others--the fact that his daughter Maria Clara andhis future son-in-law were also there. His prospective connectionwith Ibarra caused the Captain to be often spoken of among the people.
Yes, as a matter of fact, one of the most serious newspapers inManila had printed an article on its first page, headed "ImitateHim!" in which they offered Ibarra much advice and highly eulogizedhim. The article spoke of him as "the illustrious and rich youngcapitalist." Two lines below, he was termed "the distinguishedphilanthropist," and, in the following paragraph, referred to as the"disciple of Minerva who went to his Mother Country to salute thereal birthplace of arts and sciences." Captain Tiago was burning withgenerous emulation and was wondering whether he ought not to erecta convent at his own expense.
Days before the week of festivities, numerous boxes of provisions anddrinks, colossal mirrors, pictures, paintings and his daughter's pianohad arrived at the house. Maria Clara and Aunt Isabel were alreadyliving there. Captain Tiago came on the day before the beginning of thefestival. As he kissed his daughter's hand, he made her a present ofa beautiful religious relic. It was solid gold, and set with diamondsand emeralds, and contained a little sliver from Saint Peter's boat,in which Our Saviour sat while fishing.
The Captain's interview with his future son-in-law could not havebeen more cordial. Naturally, the school house was the subject ofconversation. Captain Tiago wanted him to call the school "The SanFrancisco School."