NMT Chapter 61: Wedding Plans for Maria Clara (See other Noli Me Tangere Chapter Summaries)
(Napanuod mo na ba yung kwento ni Pareng Ed, isang masipag at matiyagang OFW na naubos ang pera nung na-ospital ang kanyang anak, pero nakabangon mula sa kahirapan gamit ang isang… panuorin mo ang kwento niya dito.)
Capitan Tiago was the only well-off Filipino who was not jailed. Capitan Tinong was freed, but he was sick and refused to leave the house.
Dona Victorina and Capitan Tiago agreed that Linares and Maria Clara will get married, and Capitan Tiago prepared the following day to announce the engagement of Maria Clara.
People criticized Maria Clara for getting engaged to someone other than her former sweetheart (who was going to be executed or banished to some far off country).
The teniente insinuated that Maria Clara betrayed Ibarra.
Maria Clara asked Tia Isabel to bring her to her room where Maria Clara pretended to sleep. After the guests had left and the place had quieted down, Maria Clara went to the asotea.
A banca stopped nearby. Ibarra got out and went up to the asotea.
Ibarra told Maria Clara that she betrayed him, but that he forgave her.
Maria Clara explained to Ibarra about the letter, and why she gave it to Padre Salvi. She admitted that Padre Damaso is her father.
They asked one another about each other’s plans. Maria Clara vowed that she had loved only once. Ibarra admitted that he had escaped from prison.
Maria Clara sees Elias in the banca, and he salutes her.