Hearing merry voices in one of the rooms, he knocked lightly on the door.
"Who's there ?" asked the voice of Maria Clara.
"I!" The voices became hushed and the door--did not open.
"It's I, may I come in ?" called the young man, his heart beating violently.
The silence continued.

Then light footsteps approached the door and the merry voice of Sinang murmured through the keyhole, "Crisostomo, we're going to the theater tonight.

Write what you have to say to Maria." The footsteps retreated again as rapidly as they approached.
"What does this mean ?" murmured Ibarra thoughtfully as he retired slowly from the door..