we do some business together,
but his name in the city stands too high and his credit in the
Mediterranean is too sound for him to need the help of poor Mathieu
Magis--

Faustine
I see, Lombard, you are very cautious. If you wish to lend your name
to promote an important business undertaking--

Mathieu Magis
Is it smuggling?

Faustine
What difference does it make? The question is, what would guarantee
your absolute silence?

Mathieu Magis
High profit.

Faustine (aside)
This is a rare hunting dog. (Aloud) Very well, I am going to entrust
you with a secret of life and death, for I purpose giving up to you a
great man to devour.

Mathieu Magis
My small business feeds on the great passions of life; (aside) where
there is a fine woman, there is a fine profit.

Curtain to the Second Act.

ACT III

SCENE FIRST

(The stage setting is the interior of a stable. Overhead are piles of
hay; along the walls are wheels, tubes, shafts, a long copper chimney,
a huge boiler. To the left of the spectator the Madonna is sculptured
on a pillar. To the right is a table strewn with paper and
mathematical instruments. Above the table hangs on the wall a
blackboard covered with figures; by the side of the table is a shelf
on which are onions, a water crock and a loaf. To the right of the
spectator is a wide door, and to the left, a door opening on the
fields. A straw bed lies by the side of the pillar at the feet of the
Madonna. It is night-time.)

Fontanares and Quinola.

(Fontanares, in a black robe girded by a leathern belt, works at his
table. Quinola is checking the various parts of the machine.)

Quinola
Though you wouldn't think it, senor, I also have been in love! Only
when I have once understood the woman, I have always bade her
good-bye. A full pot and bottle, ah! these never betray, and moreover,
you grow fat on them. (He glances at his master.) Pshaw! He doesn't
even hear me. There are three more pieces ready for the forge. (He
opens the door.) Here is Monipodio!

SCENE SECOND

The same persons and Monipodio.

Quinola
The last three pieces have come in. Bring the models and make
duplicates of them, as a provision against accident.

(Monipodio beckons to Quinola from the passage; two men make their
appearance.)

Monipodio
Carry these away, boys, and not a sound! Vanish like spectres. This is
worse t