Every noise in the street, every carriage that passed, caused the maiden to tremble and quickened the beatings of her heart.

Now she wished that she were back in the quiet convent among her friends; there she could have seen him without emotion and agitation! But was he not the companion of her infancy, had they not played together and even quarreled at times?
The reason for all this I need not explain; if you, O reader, have ever loved, you will understand; and if you have not, it is useless for me to tell you, as the uninitiated do not comprehend these mysteries.
"I believe, Maria, that the doctor is right," said Capitan Tiago.

"You ought to go into the country, for you are pale and need fresh air.

What do you think of Malabon or San Diego ?" At the mention of the latter place Maria Clara blushed like a poppy and was unable to answer.
"You and Isabel can go at once to the convent to get your clothes and to say good-by to your friends," he continued, without raising his head.

"You will not stay there any longer." The girl felt the vague sadness that possesses the mind when we leave forever a place where we have been happy, but another thought softened this sorrow.
"In four or five days, after you get some new clothes made, we'll go to Malabon.