now recovered wife!
Nina. Keep off, you wretch! What did you say just now? "I've loved you long, and ne'er have said so much to any woman breathing."
Ant. Well, my love, no more I had, except to yourself; and you I thought were dead. Why, my dearest Nina, it is a proof of my constancy. When I first saw you, I said to myself "that is the only woman I ever saw with a foot and ankle so pretty as my Nina's;" and the more I looked at you, the more your sweet figure reminded me of yourself. In fact, it was your likeness to yourself that created the first emotion in my widowed heart. Had I fallen in love with anybody else, my dearest Nina, you might have cause for anger; but I assert, to fall in love with my own wife proves me a paragon of fidelity.
Nina. O, Lopez, could I but believe you!
[Antonio turns away and takes out his handkerchief.] (Aside.) As my master says (turning to Nina),
"Lay bare my heart, my Nina, read each thought,
And there your image, deeply graven, find."
[She turns away. He pretends to be much affected; at last she embraces him.
Ant. (Aside.) Into her arms and out of that scrape, thank my wits! (Aloud.) And now, my love, how long have you resided in this city?
Nina. But a few days. I serve the Donna Isidora. I was left behind in sickness, at their country seat, some time ago, and but now have joined her. Where have you been, my dear Lopez?
Ant. Wandering about everywhere and anywhere, a lost man, since I heard of your loss;—yes, a miserable man. But of that hereafter. What seek you now?
Nina. The lacquey of Don Gaspar, called Antonio;—can you assist me, as I am in haste?
Ant. Why yes, I think I can. Behold him here; I am that same Antonio, and, for my sins, Don Gaspar's lacquey.
Nina (walking away angrily). It was convenient, perhaps, for you to change your name. You are Antonio, indeed!
Ant. No, my dear wife; but it made me feel more happy (placing his arm round her waist). You used to call me Lopez; dearest Lopez; and when I thought you dead, the very name, when summoned by my masters, reminded me of your dear self. I could not bear it; so I changed my name.
Nina. Dear Lopez! And do you really tell the truth? [Antonio kisses her.]
Enter Beppa.
Ant. By this kiss I do!
Bep. (aside). So, so, good husband! I have long suspected this. I'll watch your motions.
Nina. Well then, dear Lopez, you must give this letter to your master. He must not fail to-night. When shall I see you?
Ant. This night, if possible, there shall be more than one love-tale, my Nina. [Exit Nina.
[Beppa, who has gradually advanced, boxes Antonio's ears.
Bep. "There shall be more than one love-tale, my Nina." And this hand shall tell another tale (striking again), thou base villain!
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. (snatching 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
