time of
my absence.

Marie
If you speak thus to me, I shall believe you do not know the depth of
my attachment; for it is fed less upon flattering words than upon the
interest I feel in all that interests you.

Fontanares
What I am most interested in now, Marie, is to learn before engaging
in so important an undertaking, whether you have the courage to resist
your father, who is said to contemplate a marriage for you.

Marie
Do you think then that I could change?

Fontanares
With us men, to love is to be forever jealous! You are so rich, I am
so poor. When you thought I was ruined, you had no perturbation for
the future, but now that success has come we shall have the whole
world between us. And you shall be my star! And shall shine upon me
though from so great a distance. If I thought that at the end of my
long struggle I should not find you at my side, oh! in the midst of
all the triumph I should die for grief!

Marie
Do you not know me yet? Though I was lonely, almost a recluse while
you were absent, the pure feeling which from our childhood united me
with you has grown greater with your destiny! When these eyes, which
with such rapture look on you again, shall be closed forever; when
this heart which only beats for God, for my father and for you shall
be reduced to dust, I believe that on earth will survive a soul of
mine to love you still! Do you doubt now my constancy?

Fontanares
After listening to such words as these, what martyr would not receive
new courage at the stake?

SCENE ELEVENTH

The same persons and Lothundiaz.

Lothundiaz
That cursed duenna has left my door open.

Monipodio (aside)
Alas, those poor children are ruined! (To Lothundiaz) Alms is a
treasure which is laid up in heaven.

Lothundiaz
Go to work, and you can lay up treasures here on earth. (He looks
round) I do not see my daughter and her duenna in their usual place.

Monipodio (to Lothundiaz)
The Spaniard is by nature generous.

Lothundiaz
Oh! get away! I am a Catalonian and suspicious by nature. (He catches
sight of his daughter and Fontanares.) What do I see? My daughter with
a young senor! (He runs up to them) It is hard enough to pay duennas
for guarding children with the heart and eyes of a mother without
finding them deceivers. (To his daughter) How is it that you, Marie,
heiress of ten thousand sequins a year, should speak to--do my eyes
deceive me? It is that blasted machinis