Captain Duke, this ought not to be repeated unless it can be proved, and even then could not be written excepting with a sword dipped in my blood.
The Duke
You asked me the news.
(The duke retires.)
SCENE FIFTH
The same persons, and the Marchioness of Mondejar.
The Captain Ah! here is my cousin! (To the marchioness) Dear marchioness, you are still very much agitated. In the name of our common salvation, control yourself; you will attract attention.
The Marchioness
Has that man come back?
The Captain Now, how can a man of such base condition as he is throw you into such terror?
The Marchioness He holds my life in his hands; more than my life, indeed; for he holds in his power the life also of another, who, in spite of the most scrupulous precautions, cannot avoid exciting the jealousy —
The Captain Of the king! – Did he cause the assassination of the Duke of Olmedo, as is rumored?
The Marchioness Alas! I do not know what to think. – Here I am alone, helpless – and perhaps soon to be abandoned.
The Captain You may rely upon me – I shall constantly be in the midst of all our enemies like a hunter on the watch.
SCENE SIXTH
The same persons and Quinola.
Quinola
I have only thirty doubloons left, but I have had the worth of sixty.
– Ah! what a lovely scent! The marchioness can now talk to me without fear.
The Marchioness (pointing out Quinola)
Is this our man?
The Captain
Yes.
The Marchioness Keep watch, my cousin, so that I may be able to talk without being overheard. (To Quinola) Who are you, my friend?
Quinola (aside)
Her friend! As soon as you have a woman's secret, you are her friend.
(Aloud) Madame, I am a man superior to all considerations and all circumstances.
The Marchioness
You have reached a pretty good height, at any rate.
Quinola
Is that a threat or a warning?
The Marchioness
Sir, you are very impertinent.
Quinola Do not mistake farsightedness for impertinence. You must study me, before coming to a decision. I am going to describe my character to you; my real name is Lavradi. At the moment Lavradi ought to be serving a ten years' sentence in Africa, at the presides, owing to an error of the alcaldes of Barcelona. Quinola is the conscience, white as your fair hands, of Lavradi. Quinola does to know Lavradi. Does the soul know the body? You may unite the soul, Quinola, to the body, Lavradi, all the more easily because this morning Quinola was at the postern of your garden, with the friends of the dawn who stopped the Duke of Olmedo —
The Marchioness
What has happened to him?
Quinola Lavradi would take advantage of this moment, which is full of promise, to ask a pardon; but Quinola is a gentleman.
The Marchioness
You are taken up too much with yourself —
Quinola And not sufficiently with him – that is just. The duke took us for foul assassins; we were simply asking him, at a rather too advantageous hour, to make us a loan, pledged by our rapiers as collateral. The famous Majoral, who was in command of us, being close pressed by the duke, was forced to disable him by a little thrust, of which he knows the secret.
The Marchioness
O! My God! —
Quinola
Happiness is cheap at such a cost, madame.
The Marchioness (aside)
Hush! He knows my secret.
Quinola When we saw that the duke had not a maravedi about him, we left him where he was. As I was the least culpable of all the gang, I was charged to take him home; in adjusting his pockets, which had been turned inside out, I found the letter which he had written to you, and, learning your position at the court, I understood —
The Marchioness
That your fortune was made?
Quinola
Not at all – that my life was in danger.
The Marchioness
Indeed?
Quinola
To whom are you speaking? Quinola or Lavradi?
The Marchioness Lavradi shall have his pardon. What does Quinola desire? To enter my service?
Quinola Foundling children are of gentle birth; Quinola will deliver your letter to you with asking a maravedi, without obliging you to do anything unworthy of you, and he expects that you will refrain from desiring the services of a poor devil who carries under his wallet the heart of the Cid.
The Marchioness
How dear you are going to cost me, fellow!
Quinola
You said to me just now, "my friend."
The Marchioness
Were you not my enemy?
Quinola On account of that word I trust you, madame, and intend to tell you everything. But here – do not laugh – you must promise – I wish —
The Marchioness
You wish?
Quinola I wish – to speak to the king – at the moment when he passes on his way to the chapel; I desire you to lend favor to my request.
The Marchioness
But what are you going to ask him?
Quinola
The most simple thing in the world – an audience for my master.
The Marchioness
Explain yourself, for time presses.
Quinola Madame, I am the servant of a philosopher; and if the mark of genius is poverty, we have a great deal too much genius, madame.
The Marchioness
