Lights and Shadows Three days have passed since the events narrated, three days which the town of San Diego has devoted to making preparations for the fiesta, commenting and murmuring at the same time.

While all were enjoying the prospect of the pleasures to come, some spoke ill of the gobernadorcillo, others of the teniente-mayor, others of the young men, and there were not lacking those who blamed everybody for everything.
There was a great deal of comment on the arrival of Maria Clara, accompanied by her Aunt Isabel.

All rejoiced over it because they loved her and admired her beauty, while at the same time they wondered at the change that had come over Padre Salvi.

"He often becomes inattentive during the holy services, nor does he talk much with us, and he is thinner and more taciturn than usual," commented his penitents.

The cook noticed him getting thinner and thinner by minutes and complained of the little honor that was done to his dishes.