The Dinner There in the decorated kiosk the great men of the province were dining.

The alcalde occupied one end of the table and Ibarra the other.

At the young man's right sat Maria Clara and at his left the escribano.

Capitan Tiago, the alferez, the gobernadorcillo, the friars, the employees, and the few young ladies who had remained sat, not according to rank, but according to their inclinations.

The meal was quite animated and happy.
When the dinner was half over, a messenger came in search of Capitan Tiago with a telegram, to open which he naturally requested the permission of the others, who very naturally begged him to do so.