Senor Ibarra forces himself on no one." "But it's giving opportunity for danger, and he who loves danger perishes in it." "I don't see any danger, Padre.

The alcalde and the Captain-General, my superior officers, have been talking with him all the afternoon and it's not for me to teach them a lesson." "If you don't put him out of here, we'll leave." "I'm very sorry, but I can't put any one out of here." The curate repented of his threat, but it was too late to retract, so he made a sign to his companion, who arose with regret, and the two went out together.

The persons attached to them followed their example, casting looks of hatred at Ibarra.
The murmurs and whispers increased.

A number of people approached the young man and said to him, "We're with you, don't take any notice of them." "Whom do you mean by _them ?_" Ibarra asked in surprise.
"Those who've just left to avoid contact with you." "Left to avoid contact with me ?" "Yes, they say that you're excommunicated." "Excommunicated ?" The astonished youth did not know what to say.

He looked about him and saw that Maria Clara was hiding her face behind her fan.