Did Capitan Tiago present to some Virgin a silver wand ornamented with emeralds and topazes?
At once Dona Patrocinio had ordered another of gold set with diamonds! If at the time of the Naval procession [38] Capitan Tiago erected an arch with two facades, covered with ruffled cloth and decorated with mirrors, glass globes, and chandeliers, then Dona Patrocinio would have another with four facades, six feet higher, and more gorgeous hangings.

Then he would fall back on his reserves, his strong point, his specialty--masses with bombs and fireworks; whereat Dona Patrocinia could only gnaw at her lips with her toothless gums, because, being exceedingly nervous, she could not endure the chiming of the bells and still less the explosions of the bombs.

While he smiled in triumph, she would plan her revenge and pay the money of others to secure the best orators of the five Orders in Manila, the most famous preachers of the Cathedral, and even the Paulists, [39] to preach on the holy days upon profound theological subjects to the sinners who understood only the vernacular of the mariners.

The partizans of Capitan Tiago would observe that she slept during the sermon; but her adherents would answer that the sermon was paid for in advance, and by her, and that in any affair payment was the prime requisite.

At length, she had driven him from the field completely by presenting to the church three _andas_ of gilded silver, each one of which cost her over three thousand pesos.