human
Well, Santiago?
gpt
Speak, for heaven's sake! What is it?
human
What I all the time feared, he said at last, conquering his tears.
gpt
Everything is lost! Father DÃmaso orders me to break the promise of marriage. They all say the same thing, even Father Sibyla. I must shut the doors of my house to him, and--I owe him more than fifty thousand pesos! I told the fathers so, but they wouldn't take it into account. 'Which would you rather lose,' they said, 'fifty thousand pesos or your soul?' Ah, St. Anthony, if I had known, if I had known!
human
Don't cry, my child, he said, turning to her;
gpt
But, Santiago, are you mad? cried Aunt Isabel.
human
Speak to her of another fiancÕ now? Do you think your daughter changes them as she does her gloves?
gpt
I have thought about it, Isabel; but what would you have me do? They threaten me, too, with excommunication.
human
And you do nothing but distress your daughter! Aren't you the friend of the archbishop? Why don't you write to him?
gpt
The archbishop is a monk, too. He will do only what the monks say. But don't cry, Maria; the governor-general is coming. He will want to see you, and your eyes will be red. Alas, I thought I was going to have such a good afternoon! Without this misfortune I should be the happiest of men, with everybody envying me! Be calm, my child, I am more unhappy than you, and I don't cry. You may find a better fiancÕ; but as for me, I lose fifty thousand pesos! Ah, Virgin of Antipolo, if only I have luck tonight!