uences;
_et liberavi animam meam._ Your reputation is in danger, to say
nothing of your soul. Notwithstanding, when the spiritual means have
been applied, and fail, in that case the carnal may be used. You are a
tender child, you are, and must not be put into despair; your heart is
as soft and melting as your hand. [_He strokes her face, takes her by
the hand, and gives the letter._

_Gom._ Hold, hold, father, you go beyond your commission; palming is
always held foul play amongst gamesters.

_Dom._ Thus good intentions are misconstrued by wicked men; you will
never be warned till you are excommunicated.

_Gom._ Ah, devil on him; there's his hold! If there were no more in
excommunication than the church's censure, a wise man would lick his
conscience whole with a wet finger; but, if I am excommunicated, I am
outlawed, and then there is no calling in my money. [_Aside._

_Elv._ [_Rising._] I have read the note, father, and will send him an
answer immediately; for I know his lodgings by his letter.

_Dom._ I understand it not, for my part; but I wish your intentions be
honest. Remember, that adultery, though it be a silent sin, yet it is
a crying sin also. Nevertheless, if you believe absolutely he will
die, unless you pity him; to save a man's life is a point of charity;
and actions of charity do alleviate, as I may say, and take off from
the mortality of the sin. Farewell, daughter.--Gomez, cherish your
virtuous wife; and thereupon I give you my benediction. [_Going._

_Gom._ Stay; I'll conduct you to the door,--that I may be sure you
steal nothing by the way. Friars wear not their long sleeves for
nothing.--Oh, 'tis a Judas Iscariot. [_Exit after the Friar._

_Elv._ This friar is a comfortable man! He will understand nothing of
the business, and yet does it all.
Pray, wives and virgins, at your time of need,
For a true guide, of my good father's breed. [_Exit._

ACT III.

SCENE I.--_The Street._

_Enter_ LORENZO _in a Friars Habit, meeting_ DOMINICK.

_Lor._ Father Dominick, father Dominick; why in such haste, man?

_Dom._ It should seem, a brother of our order.

_Lor._ No, faith, I am only your brother in iniquity; my holiness,
like yours, is mere outside.

_Dom._ What! my noble colonel in metamorphosis! On what occasion are
you transformed?

_Lor._ Love, almighty love; that, which turned Jupiter into a
town-bull, has