y farewell on condition that
she would not refuse to retire to a convent afterwards.

Sarpi
The assembly here is so numerous that I am not surprised, nor in the
least offended, by your complaisance towards her.

Fontanares
Ah! Here comes the fiercest of my persecutors. How are you, senor; are
you come to put my constancy to a fresh test?

Sarpi
I represent the viceroy of Catalonia, senor, and I have a right to
your respectful treatment. (To Don Ramon) Are you satisfied with him?

Don Ramon
If he takes my advice, we are sure of success.

Sarpi
The viceroy has great hopes from your learned co-operation.

Fontanares
Surely I am dreaming! Is it possible they are raising up a rival to
me?

Sarpi
No! senor; but a guide who is able to save you from failure.

Fontanares
Who told you I needed one?

Marie
O Alfonso! But suppose that Don Ramon could insure your success?

Fontanares
Ah! Even she has lost confidence in me!

Marie
They say he is so learned!

Lothundiaz
Presumptuous man! He thinks that he knows more than all the learned in
the world.

Sarpi
I was induced to come here on account of a question which has been
raised and has filled the viceroy with anxiety; you have had in your
possession for nearly ten months a ship belonging to the state, and
you must now render an account of the loan.

Fontanares
The king fixed no term for the time of my experiments.

Sarpi
The administration of Catalonia has the right to demand an account,
and we have received a decree of the ministers to this effect.
(Fontanares appears thunderstruck.) Oh! you can take your time; we do
not wish to embarrass a man like you. Nor are we inclined to think
that you wish to elude the stipulation with regard to your life by
keeping the ship for an indefinite period.

Marie
His life?

Fontanares
Yes, I am staking my life in these experiments.

Marie
And yet, you refuse my help?

Fontanares
In three months, Count Sarpi, I shall have completed, without the
counsel of another, the work I am engaged upon. You will then see one
of the greatest spectacles that a man can produce for his age to
witness.

Sarpi
Here, then, is a bond to that effect; sign it.

(Fontanares signs it.)

Marie
Farewell, my friend! If you are vanquished in this struggle I believe
that I shall love you more than ever!

Lothundiaz
Come, my daughter; the man is mad.

Don Ramon
Young man! be sure to read my treatises.

Sarpi
Farewell, futur