ne
I must thank Quinola for that. (She offers a purse to Quinola.) Take
this. (To Fontanares) Till we meet again!

(Exeunt Faustine and Avaloros.)

SCENE SIXTH

Fontanares and Quinola.

Fontanares
That woman is treacherous as the sun in winter. Unhappy am I that I
sought her, for she has taught me to lose faith. Is it possible that
there are virtues which it is for our advantage to discard?

Quinola
How is it possible, senor, to distrust a woman who sets in gold her
slightest words! She loves you; that's the secret. Is your heart so
very small that it cannot harbor two affections?

Fontanares
Nonsense! Marie has given me hope, her words have fired my soul. Yes,
I shall succeed.

Quinola (aside)
Where is Monipodio? (Aloud) A reconciliation, senor, is very easy with
a woman who yields so easily as Senora Brancadori.

Fontanares
Quinola!

Quinola
Senor, you make me desperate! Would you oppose the perfidy of a useful
love with the loyalty of a love that is blind? I need the influence of
Senora Brancadori in order to get rid of Monipodio, whose intentions
cause me anxiety. If only I can obtain this influence I will guarantee
you success, and you shall then marry your Marie.

Fontanares
By what means?

Quinola
My dear senor, by mounting on the shoulders of a man who sees a long
distance, as you do, any one can see farther still. You are an
inventor, very good; but I am inventive. You saved me from--I needn't
say what! I, in turn, will deliver you from the talons of envy and
from the clutches of cupidity. Here is gold for us; come dress
yourself, make yourself fine, take courage; you are on the eve of
triumph. But above all things, behave graciously towards Senora
Brancadori.

Fontanares
You must at least tell me, how are you going to effect this?

Quinola
No, senor, if you knew my secret, all would be ruined; you are a man
of talent, and a man of talent is always simple as a child.

(Exeunt.)

SCENE SEVENTH

(The setting represents the drawing-room in Senora Brancadori's
palace.)

Faustine (alone)
The hour is come, to which all my efforts for the last fourteen months
have been looking for fulfillment. In a few moments Fontanares will
see that Marie is forever lost to him. Avaloros, Sarpi and I have
lulled the genius to forgetfulness, and have brought the man up to the
very day when his experiment was to have taken place, so that