While they were partaking of a late breakfast, Padre Salvi came in.

The Espadanas were already acquainted with him, and they introduced the blushing young Linares with all his titles.
As was natural, they talked of Maria Clara, who was resting and sleeping.

They talked of their journey, and Dona Victorina exhibited all her verbosity in criticising the customs of the provincials,--their nipa houses, their bamboo bridges; without forgetting to mention to the curate her intimacy with this and that high official and other persons of "quality" who were very fond of her.
"If you had come two days ago, Dona Victorina," put in Capitan Tiago during a slight pause, "you would have met his Excellency, the Captain-General.

He sat right there." "What! How's that?
His Excellency here! In your house?
No!" "I tell you that he sat right there.

If you had only come two days ago--" "Ah, what a pity that Clarita did not get sick sooner!" she exclaimed with real feeling.