SCENE FIFTEENTH

The same persons, Marie and Lothundiaz.

Marie
I was not, then, deceived; you have fallen into the hands of your
enemies! And what is left to me, dearest Alfonso, but to die for you
--and yet, by what a frightful death! O beloved! Heaven is jealous of
a perfect love, and thus would teach us by those cruel disasters,
which we call the chances of life, that there is no true happiness
save in the presence of God. What! You here?

Sarpi
Senorita!

Lothundiaz
My daughter!

Marie
For one moment you have left me free, for the last time in my life! I
shall keep my promise, you must not be unfaithful to yours. O sublime
discoverer, you will have to discharge the obligations that belong to
greatness, and to fight the battle of your lawful ambition! This
struggle will be the great interest of your life; while the Countess
Sarpi will die by inches and in obscurity, imprisoned in the four
walls of her house. And now let me remind you, father, and you, count,
that it was clearly agreed, as the condition of my obedience, that
Senor Fontanares should be granted by the viceroy of Catalonia a
further extension of time, for the completion of his experiment.

Fontanares
Marie, how can I live without you?

Marie
How could you live in the hands of your executioner?

Fontanares
Farewell! I am ready to die.

Marie
Did you not make a solemn promise to the King of Spain, yes, to all
the world? (Speaks low to Fontanares) Oh! seize your triumph; after
that we can die!

Fontanares
I will accept, if only you refuse to be his.

Marie
Father, fulfill your promise.

Faustine
I have triumphed.

Lothundiaz (in a low voice to Fontanares)
You contemptible seducer! (Aloud) Here I give you ten thousand
sequins. (In a low voice) Atrocious wretch! (Aloud) My daughter's
income for one year. (In a low voice) May the plague choke you!
(Aloud) Upon the presentation of this check, Senor Avaloros will count
out to you ten thousand sequins.

Fontanares
But does the viceroy consent to this arrangement?

Sarpi
You have publicly accused the viceroy of Catalonia of belying the
promises of the king; here is his answer: (he draws forth a document)
By this ordinance, he puts a stay on the lawsuits of all your
creditors, and grants you a year to complete your experiment.

Fontanares
I am ready to do so.

Lothundiaz
He has made up his mind! Come, my daughter; they are expecting us at
the Dominican c