The two cousins laughed, and Ibarra even heard the noise of the door closing.

Pale and breathing rapidly, the maiden pressed her beating heart and tried to listen.

She heard his voice, that beloved voice that for so long a time she had heard only in her dreams he was asking for her! Overcome with joy, she kissed the nearest saint, which happened to be St.Anthony the Abbot, a saint happy in flesh and in wood, ever the object of pleasing temptations! Afterwards she sought the keyhole in order to see and examine him.

She smiled, and when her aunt snatched her from that position she unconsciously threw her arms around the old lady's neck and rained kisses upon her.
"Foolish child, what's the matter with you ?" the old lady was at last able to say as she wiped a tear from her faded eyes.

Maria Clara felt ashamed and covered her eyes with her plump arm.
"Come on, get ready, come!" added the old aunt fondly.