her he'll come to-morrow evening. He said as much when last
I saw him.

_Bep._ When last you saw him! Is he not here?

_Ant._ He's here, and there, and everywhere, and nowhere.

_Bep._ Where is he now?

_Ant._ That I don't know; but not here, that's certain.

[_Window opens, Gaspar calls loudly from within window--_

_Gasp._ Antonio!

_Ant._ Santa Maria! Yes, sir.

_Gasp._ Go to Castanos, and see if my guitar be strung.

_Ant._ Now, how did he get there? Beppa, I must off. Remember my advice!

_Bep._ (_scornfully_). I will. Good-by, Mr By-Play. [_Exit Beppa._

_Ant._ (_looking up_). How the devil did he get there, if not by the
help of the devil! For it was not by the help of the door, I'll swear.
To-morrow I'll confess--that's certain. [_Exit Antonio._

_Scene III._

_Moonlight.--A garden belonging to the house of Donna Inez.--A balcony
looking into the garden.--Donna Isidora and Nina discovered on balcony._

_Isid._ He comes not yet.

_Nina._ Senora, 'tis not time.

_Isid._ 'Tis more than time; I heard the convent bell
Strike long ago.

_Nina._ 'Twas not the hour of night, but the sad toll
Announcing some high obsequy.

_Isid._ Yet, still, 'tis time he came.

_Nina._ And here he would have been, but you forget
You chided him for venturing so early.
Your aunt had not retired when last he came.

_Isid._ He does not wish to come,--I will not see him. Tell him my
resolution. [_Exit, petulantly, Nina following._

_Enter Gaspar, in the dress of a cavalier._

I overheard her vented thoughts, poor girl!
She counts the minutes by her throbbing heart,
And that beats time too fast.
Now will she hang her head, and weep awhile.
Like flow'rets waiting for the morning sun,
That raise their mournful heads at his approach,
And every dew-drop, like a diamond, glistens,
While they exhale sweet perfume in their joy,--
So at our meeting, smiling through her tears,
Will she appear more fresh and beautiful!

[_Re-enter Isidora and Nina. As they appear, Gaspar retires._

_Isid._ The moon's so bright, that faintly you discover
The little stars which stud th' unclouded heav'n;
The wind but scarcely moves the trembling aspen,
And not a sound breaks through the still of night.
All Nature's hush'd; and every passion lull'd,
Save love, or fierce revenge. Is this a night
To stay away, false, yet loved Don Gaspar?

_Nina._ Be patient, lady, he will soon be here.

_Isid._ He cannot sure be false.
Per