Fontanares And it was you who brought this angel of purity to the house of a woman for whom Don Fregose is wasting his fortune and who accepts from him the most extravagant gifts without marrying him?

Faustine Sir!

Fontanares You came here, senora, widow of a cadet of the house of Brancadori, to whom you sacrificed the small fortune your father gave you; but here you have utterly changed--

Faustine What right have you to judge my actions?

Lothundiaz Keep silence, sir; the senora is a high born lady, who has doubled the value of my palace.

Fontanares She! Why she is a--

Faustine Silence!

Lothundiaz My daughter, this is your man of genius! Extreme in everything, but leaning rather to madness than good sense. Senor Mechination, the senora is the cousin and protector of Sarpi.

Fontanares Well, take your daughter away from the house of the Marchioness of Mondejar of Catalonia.

(Exeunt Lothundiaz and Marie.)

SCENE SEVENTEENTH

Faustine and Fontanares.

Fontanares So, senora, your generosity was merely a trick to serve the interests of Sarpi! We are quits then! And so farewell. (Exit.)

SCENE EIGHTEENTH

Faustine and Paquita.

Faustine How handsome he looked in his rage, Paquita!

Paquita Ah! senora, what will become of you if you love him in this way?

Faustine My child, I feel that I have never loved before, and in an instant I have been transformed as by a stroke of lightning. In one moment I have loved for all lost time! Perhaps I have set my foot upon the path which leads to an abyss. Send one of my servants to the house of Mathieu Magis, the Lombard.

(Exit Paquita.)

SCENE NINETEENTH

Faustine (alone) I already love him too much to trust my vengeance to the stiletto of Monipodio, for he has treated me with such contempt that I must bring him to believe that the greatest honor he could win would be to have me for his wife! I wish to see him groveling at my feet, or I will perish in the attempt to bring him there.

SCENE TWENTIETH

Faustine and Fregose.

Fregose What is this? I thought to find Fontanares here, happy in the possession of the ship you gained for him.

Faustine You have given it to him then, and I suppose hate him no longer. I thought the sacrifice would be above your strength, and wished to know if hate were stronger than obedience.

Fregose Ah! senora--

Faustine Could you take it back again?

Fregose Whether obedient or disobedient, I cannot displease you. Good heavens!

Take back the ship! Why, it is crowded with artisans who are its masters.

Faustine You never know what I want, and what I do not want.

Fregose His death?

Faustine No, but his disgrace.

Fregose And in that I shall avenge myself for a whole month of anguish.

Faustine Take care to keep your hands off what is my prey. And first of all, Don Fregose, take back your pictures from my gallery. (Don Fregose shows astonishment). It is my will.

Fregose You refuse then to be marchioness of--

Faustine They shall be burned upon the public square or sold, and the price given to the poor.

Fregose Tell me, what is your reason for this?

Faustine I thirst for honor and you have ruined mine.

Fregose Accept my name and all will be well.

Faustine Leave me, I pray you.

Fregose The more power you have, the more you abuse it. (Exit.)

SCENE TWENTY-FIRST

Faustine (alone) So, so! I am nothing then but the viceroy's mistress! He might as well have said as much! But with the aid of Avaloros and Sarpi I intend to have a pretty revenge--one worthy of old Venice.

SCENE TWENTY-SECOND