[_Exit Superior, after blessing Anselmo.--Anselmo, still kneeling, watches the departure of the Superior._

_Ans._ (_rising._) He's safe.

_Jac._ Hah, hah! do you edify?

_Ans._ Peace, peace, Jacobo! 'Tis time that I were gone.

_Jac._ You will return before the door is lock'd?

_Ans._ Because you will not lock it. I shall be home at midnight: it must be so, Jacobo. If not, expect no further gifts from me; and what is more, a full confession of the many times you have been bribed to secrecy. [_Exit Anselmo._

_Jac._ Why, what a penance if this should be discovered! They know how much I love my wine, and always punish me with water. I should have to drink the Guadalquiver dry before the Superior would give me absolution.

Well, we all have our besetting sin; and a pot of good wine will put my soul in more jeopardy than all the temptations that the world contains.

I suppose I must forget to lock the door. I'll only bolt it; that will satisfy my conscience as a porter. [_Exit Jacobo._

_Scene II._

_Street before Don Gaspar's lodgings.--Enter Antonio._

_Ant._ I wonder where my master is! I expected him sooner. He may be in his chamber, but 'tis impossible to say. Why, here comes Beppa, and that knave Garcias with her. I've often thought they are too intimate; I will retire and watch them.

_Enter Beppa, followed by Garcias.--Antonio advances behind._

_Bep._ But, Garcias, is this true?

_Gar._ It is, upon my faith! Sancho revealed it in his cups. Don Perez, afraid to encounter with Don Gaspar, has hired bravos to dispatch him.

_Bep._ I rejoice at it. A wretch like him deserves no better fate, and my poor mistress will be well revenged. Indeed, his servant is no better.

_Gar._ What! your dear husband?

_Bep._ My scoundrel husband! Unhappy day I married him! It was but yesterday that I found him kissing another.

_Gar._ Indeed!--You can revenge yourself.

_Bep._ I almost wish I could.

_Gar._ (_kissing her hand_). Then kiss again.

_Bep._ Pshaw! that's but poor revenge.

_Gar._ I'll join the bravos, and strike him down, if you will marry me.

_Bep._ Not so, good sir: it were indeed to make a better choice, to take a murderer in second wedlock. I ask but to be free; and leave the time to Heaven.

_Gar._ Then fare ye well. [_Exit Garcias._

_Ant._ A very pretty proposal, and a very pretty plot have I discovered!

yet will I conceal my knowledge. (_Shows himself._) Good day, again, my Beppa! Who is that friend of yours? (_smacking lips in imitation of kissing_).

_Bep._ (_after a pause_). Well, good husband, how could I help it?

_Ant._ How could you help it!

_Bep._ My mistress ordered me.

_Ant._ Oh, I understand!

_Bep._ Yes, only a little by-play, you know.

_Ant._ Or else you must quit your service. Pray who is the gentleman to whom your mistress is making love?

_Bep._ That's a secret.

_Ant._ Of course she gave you ten moidores for me.

_Bep._ Really I don't remember.

_Ant._ Indeed! why, thou--thou--

_Bep._ Good morning. I must to my mistress. Adieu, Antonio. [_Exit Beppa._

_Ant._ Well; I like thee better than usual. Thou hast refused him for me, and would not have him murder me; that's something in a wife now-a-days. I have obtained a key which fits my master's door; and now I feel a.s.sured he'll not come back, I'll find his secret out. I must be quick. Suppose he should be there. Impossible! he would have summoned me. At all events I'll risk it. [_Exit Antonio._

_Scene III._

_Interior of Don Gaspar's room.--Enter Antonio._

_Ant._ Pugh! what a heat I'm in! I really tremble with delight or fear--I can't tell which. If he should come, what shall I say? Oh, the news I gained from Beppa. That will do. (_Looking round._) Well, I see nothing after all. Why should he keep his chamber locked? But, then, there's that chest; let me try--locked fast;--nothing to be gained from that. Still, he comes in by some other way than the door, that's clear; we must have a search for a trap door. (_He looks round, and then under the bed. While he is on his knees, feeling the boards, Don Gaspar enters by the secret sliding panel, and observing him, draws his sword, and, as Antonio rises, he points it to his breast._)

_Gasp._ Villain! how cam'st thou hither?

_Ant._ (_much alarmed_). Sir, sir, I came--came (_recovers himself_)--I came to save your life, unless it please you to take mine before I can speak to you.

_Gasp._ To save my life!

_Ant._ Yes, sir; I knew not where to find you; I thought you might be here, and so I forced the lock with a rusty key. I meant to say, that I knew you had another way out from your chamber, and I have been looking for it, that I might hasten to you, to save your life.

_Gasp._ Well, sirrah, first prove to me that you _can_ save my life, and then, perhaps, I may overlook this impertinent intrusion.

_Ant._ Sir, I overheard a conversation between the valet of Don Felix and a woman, in which they stated that bravos were hired by Don Perez to waylay and murder you, Don Perez not caring to meet you with his sword.

This night they wait for you.

_Gasp._ Is Don Perez then so basely treacherous?

_Ant._ Indeed he is, sir! You must not out to-night.