Thus he soon passed for a great physician and would probably have made his fortune if the medical authorities in Manila had not heard of his exorbitant fees and the competition that he was causing others.

Both private parties and professionals interceded for him.

"Man," they said to the zealous medical official, "let him make his stake and as soon as he has six or seven thousand pesos he can go back home and live there in peace.

After all, what does it matter to you if he does deceive the unwary Indians?
They should be more careful! He's a poor devil--don't take the bread from his mouth--be a good Spaniard!" This official was a good Spaniard and agreed to wink at the matter, but the news soon reached the ears of the people and they began to distrust him, so in a little while he lost his practise and again saw himself obliged almost to beg his daily bread.

It was then that he learned through a friend, who was an intimate acquaintance of Dona Victorina's, of the dire straits in which that lady was placed and also of her patriotism and her kind heart.