t then use all our talents, which have been so far wasted, in
carrying out this grand enterprise. We should have had a great deal of
misfortune if the devil had not favored us.

Monipodio
It will be almost worth while to make a journey to Compostello. I have
the smuggler's faith, and I love wine.

Quinola
Are you not still in touch with the coiners of false money, and the
skeleton key-makers?

Monipodio
Yes--but for the good of the country--

Quinola
Well, that's the trick! As my master constructs his machine, I shall
take possession of the models of each part and we will make a
duplicate--

Monipodio
Quinola!

Quinola
What now?

(Paquita shows herself on the balcony.)

Monipodio
You are the greatest of men!

Quinola
I know it. Make a discovery, and you will die persecuted as a
criminal; make a copy, and you will live happy as a fool! And on the
other hand, if Fontanares should die, why should not I save his
invention for the good of humanity?

Monipodio
Especially, since we ourselves are humanity, as an old author says.
Let me embrace you.

SCENE SECOND

The same persons and Paquita.

Quinola (aside)
Next to an honest dupe, I know nothing better than the self-deluding
rascal.

Paquita (to herself)
Two friends embrace each other! They cannot therefore be spies.

Quinola
You are already in the secrets of the viceroy, you have the confidence
of the Brancadori lady. That is a good beginning! Work a miracle and
give us some clothes first of all, and if we two, taking counsel with
a flask of liquor, do not discover some way by which my master and
Marie Lothundiaz may meet, I will not answer for the consequences. For
the last two days his constant talk has been of her, and I am afraid
he may some day entirely lose his head.

Monipodio
The maiden is guarded like a condemned convict. This is the reason:
Lothundiaz has had two wives; the first was poor and gave him a son,
the second had a fortune, and when she died left all to her daughter,
and left it in such a way that she could never be deprived of it. The
old man is a miser whose only object is his son's success. Sarpi, the
secretary of the viceroy, in order to win the rich heiress, has
promised to obtain a title for Lothundiaz, and takes vast interest in
the son--

Quinola
There you are--an enemy at the very outset.

Monipodio
We must use great prudence. Listen. I am going to give a hint to
Mathieu Magi