ACT III. Enter Juan, dressed as himself, and Julio as a gypsey; Juan declares his determination to quit Madrid, after having explained to Preciosa the whole of his story she enters; he renews his suit; she is still disdainful, and the more to discourage him, gives a very long picture of the life of a gypsey. Juana enters to inform them that Juan's father is coming in search of him; he declares he must have an interview with his friend (Henriquez), and departs, as does Preciosa: a short scene of courtship between Julio and Juana: they go out. Alonzo and Fabio enter; the former declaring his determination to have an interview with the Preciosa: they hear a noise without, and retire: the gypsies enter, and seat themselves; a conversation takes place between two of them, as to the occasion of their meeting: Maldonado and Preciosa enter; they all rise and present him a seat: Maldonado declares it to be their intention that night to quit Madrid, and arranges their plan of operations for plunder previous to quitting it: he settles that himself and Julio will make one party: the gypsies all go out, leaving Preciosa Alonzo enters; after a short conversation, Preciosa, to avoid him, goes out; he pursues her. : Enter Henriquez and Ines. She informs him that her mistress is very anxious to have an interview with him in the garden. (The scene represents it.) Ines goes out to bring her mistress. Henriquez informs the audience of the aukwardness of his situation, as that was the spot where he had appointed to meet Don Juan. He retires on hearing voices. Maldonado and Julio enter. The latter recognizes the house of Donna Isabella, and is fearful: Maldonado encourages him, saying he has a secret in his possession, which, if they are taken, will bring them off. They go out, Isabella enters, and as she is explaining to Henriquez the confusion he has caused in the house, she hears the key of the garden turn, and thinking it to be her brother, goes out. Henriquez retires to the back of the stage. Alonzo and Preciosa enter through the garden door: after a short conversation between them, Don Juan enters, observing, it is the spot where he was to meet Henriquez. Alonzo speaks to him, mistaking him for his valet Fabio, and departs. Don Juan and Preciosa : she accuses him of coming there to meet Isabella: he recriminates on having found her with Alonzo. Henriquez comes forward, and he and Don Juan have no sooner recognized each other, than Don Pedro enters in search of his son; finding other persons there, he calls for lights. Alonzo, Isabel, and Ines, enter with lights, Pedro recognizes Don Henriquez, and addresses him by his name. Before they can explain, a cry within of thieves-Martin enters, dragging in Maldonado and Julio. The former requests to be heard: he produces a box with a picture and a trinket, from which, and a paper found with it, the Preciosa is discovered to be the sister of Alonzo and Isabella. Juan confesses the cheat he had put upon Isabella. The Preciosa is united to him, and Isabella gives her hand to Henriquez. ACT III. Enter Juan and Julio, dressed as gypsies. Juan. Been at Donna Isabella's? Julio. Yes, sir. Juan. Impossible! how could she have known the picture was intended for Isabella? Julio. She knew no such thing; she went there as a fortune-teller, but finding that the lady exactly resembled the picture, she was immediately persuaded that she was your real mistress, and became jealous accordingly. Juan. And where did you learn all this? Julio. Of her companion, Juana; but yonder they come. Juan. What the devil shall I say to her? Julio, Nothing, sir, let her begin: always let an angry woman have her full flow, and take her when she begins to ebb. Juan. Stand aside, and let them pass. Enter Preciosa and Juana. Preciosa. Let us appear not to observe them, and pass. [Juan and Julio come forward and detain them. Juan. Nay, it is impossible but you must see us. Preciosa. Let me pass, signor; one is not obliged to notice every thing one sees; 'twould be a terrible tax upon one's courtesy. Juan. But you won't go without speaking to me? Prec When you have discovered a man's falsehood, to have spoken to him once, is sufficient. Juan When you accuse a man of falsehood, you should at least hear his defence: the meanest criminal has that privilege allowed him before condemnation? Prec Well, to the picture then I have seen the lady. Juan. - So did I never, by heavens! Prec. How! you never saw the original of that picture! Juan. Never, as I hope to be saved. Prec. And the lady perhaps never saw you? Prec. Bravo! and you'll maintain, perhaps, that I never saw the lady? Juan. You may have been deceived; there is a mystery about that picture, which I cannot at present unriddle: but by the faith and honour, that lady, whoever she may be, is as ignorant of my person as I am of her's; and that we therefore must be perfectly indifferent to each other. |