Friars and Filipinos; An Abridged Translation of Dr. Jose Rizal's Tagalog Novel, Noli Me Tangere (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1900 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XXV. SCHEMES. Without paying attention to anybody, Father Damaso went straight to the sick room and took hold of Maria's hand. "Maria " said he, with indescribable tenderness, as tears dropped from his eyes. "Maria, my child, you are not going to die " Maria opened her eyes and looked at him with surprise. None who knew the Franciscan suspected that he ever had such tender thoughts. No one ever supposed that a heart existed under that gross and rude aspect. Father Damaso could say no more and left the maiden, weeping like a child. He went out through the room at the head of the stairs, to give free vent to his grief, on Maria Clara's balcony under her favorite vines. "How he loves his god-daughter " thought they all. Father Salvi witnessed the scene, immovable and silent, lightly biting his lips. When his grief was somewhat soothed, Father Damaso was introduced by Dona Victorina to the young Linares, who approached the friar with respect. Father Damaso gazed at him in silence from head to foot. He took the letter which the young man handed to him and read it apparently without understanding it, for he asked him: "And who are you?" "Alfonso Linares, the god-son of your brother-in-law," stammered the young man. Father Damaso leaned back and examined the young man again. His face brightened up and he rose to his feet. "And so you are the god-son of little Charles " he exclaimed. "Come here and let me embrace you. It was some days ago that I received your letter. So it is you I did not know you--but that is easily explained, for you were not yet born when I left the country. I never knew you." And Father Damaso stretched out his robust arms to the young man who blushed, either from shame or suffocation. Father Damaso seemed to have...