e, signal to you in vain?

ROBLEDO. Who's the little devil tearing to pieces now? (C. _cross to_
DOLORES.)

DOLORES. You, Don Robledo, sword-fighter, toreador, fire-eater, hero of
a hundred duels--you--Don Robledo--coward! (_He chucks_ DOLORES _under
the chin. She throws his hand off._) I asked you to go into the castle
and rescue your Prince. I ask you now to answer the signal that I just
saw in the tower window. Perhaps your Prince has just crawled to that
tower window where he can see our lights. Perhaps he has burned
something, a scrap of paper, in the hope that some of you gentlemen
would notice it and come to his assistance, but he doesn't know what
cowards you are or he wouldn't have wasted his matches. Don
Robledo--coward!

ROBLEDO. Coward, never! A fair fight in the open and I'll meet the best
man that walks the earth. (_Turns to_ VILLAGERS.) Any two or three! (_To
table_ L.)

DOLORES. I don't ask you to kill one or two or three of these poor
whimpering sheep! I ask you to dare something. (DUKE _enters_ C.) I ask
you and these gentlemen--(_Point to_ VILLAGERS)--to go to the aid of
your Prince--and there isn't a man among you who dares! God, how I could
love such a man!

DUKE. (_Down_ C., _sarcastically to_ DOLORES) A pretty speech, Senorita!

ROBLEDO. (_Seeing_ DUKE, _removes hat and bows_) Your Excellency!

GASPAR. The Duke D'Alva! (VILLAGERS _remove hats and bow to_ DUKE.)

PEDRO. His Excellency!

VILLAGERS. The Duke, His Excellency, etc.

DUKE. Charming sentiments you express for your fellow townsmen, whose
healthy common-sense prevents them from rushing to a fool's death.
Still, all fools are not dead yet. One of them will be here tonight. And
you, Senorita, will doubtless be pleased to look upon him, as he has
come all the way from America for the privilege of entering the castle
and playing your hero.

DOLORES. (_To_ ROBLEDO) And did her Highness have to go all the way to
America to find him?

DUKE. Yes, he's from America, where all the fools come from. (_Everybody
laughs but_ DOLORES. _To_ ROBLEDO) A word with you alone, Senor.

(ROBLEDO _looks at_ GASPAR _and_ MAXIMO. PEDRO, _scared, motions_
VILLAGERS _off to_ R. PEDRO, MAXIMO _and_ VILLAGERS _exit door_ R.)

DOLORES. Can I get your Excellency anything?

DUKE. Don't mind me. I'll look out for myself. Her Highness will be here
very soon and will doubtless remain here for the night. I drove ahead to
prepare you.

DOLORES. Yes, your E