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_Ant._ (_escaping from her, rubbing his ears_). O Lord! for tail read head. (_Aside._) This it is to have two wives. (_Aloud._) Why, Beppa, are you mad? How can I help it?
_Bep._ How can you help it!
_Ant._ Yes, how can I help it? I must obey my orders.
_Bep._ Obey your orders!
_Ant._ Yes, obey my orders, or lose my place. My master, who is amusing himself with a young lady, says to me, "Antonio, that servant girl hangs about much in my way, you must make love to her."
_Bep._ Make love to her!
_Ant._ Yes, make love to her. "I'll be hanged if I do," says I, thinking of my own sweet little Beppa. "Then you will be starved if you don't,"
said he. And as I found that he did not mean to be in earnest, I thought that there could be no harm in a little by-play.
_Bep._ By-play!
_Ant._ Yes, by-play. Well, I refused long, for it went against my conscience. Then he took this purse of ten moidores, and said, "Refuse me, and quit my service. Consent, and take this purse; the money will support your wife."
_Bep._ (_s.n.a.t.c.hing the purse_). Now, am I to believe this?
_Ant._ Believe it! why, have you not the proofs? How should I possess ten moidores? Money is not to be had for nothing now-a-days. I meant to have told you all, but have not seen you since.
_Bep._ She called you Lopez?
_Ant._ She did. I would not give my name. No other shall call me "Dear Antonio," excepting my own true lawful wife!
_Bep._ (_turning away with indifference, and putting the purse in her pocket_). Well, allowing all this to be true, and that's of no great importance, what a villain is your master, sir, to pay his court unto another, when he vows fidelity to my mistress, Donna Serafina!
_Ant._ Upon my honour, I've enough to do to defend myself; though I must confess that his conduct is infamous.
_Bep._ I'll to my mistress, and make known his treachery? [_Going._
_Ant._ Do no such thing! Bad news, though true, is never paid for; but the purse opens when the tidings please, although they're false as----(_points down below_). What's your message?
_Bep._ My mistress dies to see him.
_Ant._ Tell her he'll come to-morrow evening. He said as much when last I saw him.
_Bep._ When last you saw him! Is he not here?
_Ant._ He's here, and there, and everywhere, and nowhere.
_Bep._ Where is he now?
_Ant._ That I don't know; but not here, that's certain.
[_Window opens, Gaspar calls loudly from within window--_
_Gasp._ Antonio!
_Ant._ Santa Maria! Yes, sir.
_Gasp._ Go to Castanos, and see if my guitar be strung.
_Ant._ Now, how did he get there? Beppa, I must off. Remember my advice!
_Bep._ (_scornfully_). I will. Good-by, Mr By-Play. [_Exit Beppa._
_Ant._ (_looking up_). How the devil did he get there, if not by the help of the devil! For it was not by the help of the door, I'll swear.
To-morrow I'll confess--that's certain. [_Exit Antonio._
_Scene III._
_Moonlight.--A garden belonging to the house of Donna Inez.--A balcony looking into the garden.--Donna Isidora and Nina discovered on balcony._
_Isid._ He comes not yet.
_Nina._ Senora, 'tis not time.
_Isid._ 'Tis more than time; I heard the convent bell Strike long ago.
_Nina._ 'Twas not the hour of night, but the sad toll Announcing some high obsequy.
_Isid._ Yet, still, 'tis time he came.
_Nina._ And here he would have been, but you forget You chided him for venturing so early.
Your aunt had not retired when last he came.
_Isid._ He does not wish to come,--I will not see him. Tell him my resolution. [_Exit, petulantly, Nina following._
_Enter Gaspar, in the dress of a cavalier._
I overheard her vented thoughts, poor girl!
She counts the minutes by her throbbing heart, And that beats time too fast.
Now will she hang her head, and weep awhile.
Like flow'rets waiting for the morning sun, That raise their mournful heads at his approach, And every dew-drop, like a diamond, glistens, While they exhale sweet perfume in their joy,-- So at our meeting, smiling through her tears, Will she appear more fresh and beautiful!
[_Re-enter Isidora and Nina. As they appear, Gaspar retires._
_Isid._ The moon's so bright, that faintly you discover The little stars which stud th' unclouded heav'n; The wind but scarcely moves the trembling aspen, And not a sound breaks through the still of night.
All Nature's hush'd; and every pa.s.sion lull'd, Save love, or fierce revenge. Is this a night To stay away, false, yet loved Don Gaspar?
_Nina._ Be patient, lady, he will soon be here.
_Isid._ He cannot sure be false.
Perchance some danger hangs upon his steps; Men are so envious of the fair and good.
_Nina_ (_looking_). Senora, look; I see him in the distance.
