Sarpi Here, then, is a bond to that effect; sign it.

(Fontanares signs it.)

Marie Farewell, my friend! If you are vanquished in this struggle I believe that I shall love you more than ever!

Lothundiaz Come, my daughter; the man is mad.

Don Ramon Young man! be sure to read my treatises.

Sarpi Farewell, future grandee of Spain.

(Exeunt all except Fontanares.)

SCENE SIXTEENTH

Fontanares (alone in the front of the stage) While Marie is in a convent the sunlight cannot warm me. I am bearing up a world, yet fear I am no t.i.tian. No, I shall never succeed; all is against me. And this work which cost me three years of thought and ten months of toil will never cleave the ocean! But now, I am heavy with sleep. (He lies down on the straw.)

SCENE SEVENTEENTH

Fontanares (asleep), Quinola and Monipodio (entering by the Postern).

Quinola Diamonds! Pearls and gold! We are saved.

Monipodio Don't forget. The Brancadori is from Venice.

Quinola Then I'd better be getting back there. Send me the landlord; I wish to re-establish our credit.

Monipodio He is here.

SCENE EIGHTEENTH

The same persons and the Landlord of the Golden Sun.

Quinola What is this, senor, Landlord of the Golden Sun? You don't seem to have much confidence in the star of my grandson?

The Landlord A hostelry, senor, is not a banking house.

Quinola No, but you should not, for charity's sake, have refused him bread.

The most n.o.ble republic of Venice sent me to bring him to that city, but he is too fond of Spain! I return, as I arrived, secretly. I have nothing with me that I can dispose of excepting this diamond. A month from this time I will remit to you through the bank. Will you arrange with my grandson's servant for the sale of this jewel?

The Landlord Your people here, senor, shall be treated like princes of wealth.

Quinola You may go.

(Exit landlord.)

SCENE NINETEENTH

The same persons, excepting the landlord.

Quinola I must go and change my dress. (He looks at Fontanares) He sleeps; that n.o.ble heart has at last succ.u.mbed to its emotions; it is only we who know how to yield before misfortunes; our carelessness he cannot share. Have I not done well, in always obtaining a duplicate of that which he required? (To Monipodio) Here is the plan of the last piece; do you take charge of it.

(Exeunt.)

SCENE TWENTIETH

Fontanares (sleeping), Faustine and Mathieu Magis.

Mathieu Magis There he is!

Faustine To what a plight have I reduced him! From the depth of the wounds which I have thus inflicted upon myself, I realize the depth of my love! Oh! how much happiness do I owe him in compensation for so much suffering!

Curtain to the Third Act.

ACT IV

SCENE FIRST

(The stage setting represents a public square. In the centre stands a sheriff's officer on an auctioneer's block, around the base of which are the various pieces for the machine. A crowd is gathered on each side of the platform. To the left of the spectator are grouped together Coppolus, Carpano, the landlord of the Golden Sun, Esteban, Girone, Mathieu Magis, Don Ramon and Lothundiaz. To the right are Fontanares and Monipodio; Quinola conceals himself in a cloak behind Monipodio.)

Fontanares, Monipodio, Quinola, Coppolus, the landlord of the Golden Sun, Esteban, Girone, Mathieu Magis, Don Ramon, Lothundiaz, Sheriff's Officer, a crowd of people.

Sheriff's Officer Gentlemen, show a little more warmth. Here we have a boiler, big enough to cook a dinner for a regiment of the guards.

The Landlord Four maravedis.

Sheriff's Office Do I hear more? Come and look at it, examine it!

Mathieu Magis Six maravedis.

Quinola (to Fontanares) Senor, they will not fetch a hundred ducats.

Fontanares We must try to be resigned.