d Paquita.

Paquita (to Fontanares)
My mistress bids me tell you, senor, that you must be on your guard.
You are the object of implacable hatred to certain persons.

Monipodio
That is my business. You may go without fear through all the streets
of Barcelona; if any one seeks your life, I shall be the first to know
it.

Fontanares
Danger! Already?

Paquita
You have given me no answer for her.

Quinola
No, my pet, people don't think about two machines at the same time;
tell your divine mistress that my master kisses her feet. I am a
bachelor, sweet angel, and wish to make a happy end.

(He kisses her.)

Paquita (slapping him in the face)
You fool!

Quinola
Oh, charming!

(Exit Paquita.)

SCENE NINETEENTH

Fontanares, Quinola and Monipodio.

Monipodio
Come to the Golden Sun. I know the host; you will get credit there.

Quinola
The battle is beginning even earlier than I had expected.

Fontanares
Where shall I obtain money?

Quinola
We can't borrow it, but we can buy it. How much do you need?

Fontanares
Two thousand doubloons in gold.

Quinola
I have been trying to make an estimate of the treasury I intended to
draw upon; it is not plump enough for that.

Monipodio
Well, now, I have found a purse.

Quinola
Forget nothing in your estimate; you will require, sir, iron, copper,
steel, wood, all of which the merchants can supply. I have an idea! I
will found the house of Quinola and Company; if they don't prosper you
shall.

Fontanares
Ah! what would have become of me without you?

Monipodio
You would have been the prey of Avaloros.

Fontanares
To work, then! The inventor must prove the salvation of the lover.

(Exeunt.)

Curtain to the First Act.

ACT II

SCENE FIRST

(A room in the palace of Senora Brancadori.)

Avaloros, Sarpi and Paquita.

Avaloros
Is the queen of our lives really ill?

Paquita
She is melancholy.

Avaloros
Is thought, then, a malady?

Paquita
Yes, and you therefore can be sure of good health.

Sarpi
Say to my dear cousin that Senor Avaloros and I are awaiting her good
pleasure.

Avaloros
Stay; here are two ducats if you will say that I am sometimes
pensive--

Paquita
I will say that your tastes are expensive. But I must go and induce
the senora to dress herself. (Exit.)

SCENE SECOND

Avaloros and Sar