ACTO TERCERO, ESCENA TERCERA
*velis nolis* (Latin): 'willy-nilly.'
*no sea que salga: para que no sea que salga.*
*dispensa*: in this case, permission from the bishop or other dignitary to waive the formalities preceding a wedding in the Catholic church.
*Ofelia, Malvina, Etelvina, Coralina*: heroines of the various books *de forro colorado* that Matilde has been reading.
*que conservo en polvo*: 'that I keep although there is nothing left of it but dust' (or ashes).