"When did you leave the country?" Laruja asked Ibarra.
"Then you must have almost forgotten it."
"On the contrary, it has been always in my thoughts; but my country seems to have forgotten me."
"Why do you say that?" asked the old lieutenant.
"Because for several months I have had no news, so that I do not even know how and when my father died."
The lieutenant could not repress a groan.
"And where were you that they couldn't telegraph you?" asked Doña Victorina. "When we were married, we sent despatches to the peninsula."
"Señora, I was in the far north," said Ibarra.
"You have travelled much," said the blond provincial; "which of the European countries pleased you most?"
"After Spain, my second country, the nations that are free."
"And what struck you as most interesting, most surprising, in the general life of nations--the genius of each, so to put it?" asked Laruja.
"Before visiting a country I carefully studied its history, and, except the different motives for national pride, there seems to me nothing surprisingly characteristic in any nation. Given its history, everything appears natural; each people's wealth and misery seem in direct proportion to its freedom and its prejudices, and in consequence, in proportion to the self-sacrifice or selfishness of its progenitors."
"Did you discover nothing more startling than that?" demanded the Franciscan, with a mocking laugh. "It was hardly worth while squandering money for so slight returns. Not a schoolboy but knows as much."
The guests eyed one another, fearful of what might follow. Ibarra, astonished, remained silent a moment, then said quietly:
"Señores, do not wonder at these words of Brother Dámaso. He was my curate when I was a little boy, and with his reverence the years don't count. I thank him for thus recalling the time when he was often an honored guest at my father's table."
Brother Sibyla furtively observed the Franciscan, who was trembling slightly. At the first possible opportunity Ibarra rose.
"You will pardon me if I excuse myself," he said. "I arrived only a few hours ago, and have matters of importance to attend to. The dinner is over. I drink little wine, and scarcely taste liquors." And raising a glass as yet untouched, "Señores," he said, "Spain and the Philippines forever!"