SCENE III.—DON GARCIA, DON ALVAREZ, ELIZA.
GARC. What is the Princess doing?
EL. I think, my Lord, she is writing some letters; but I shall let her know that you are here.
GARC. (In a low voice and aside). How well she dissembles.
ELV. We have just now heard that the King, your father, approves your designs, and consents that his son should restore us to our subjects. I am extremely rejoiced at this.
GARC. Yes, Madam, and my heart is rejoiced at it too; but….
ELV. The tyrant will doubtless find it difficult to defend himself against the thunderbolts which from all sides threaten him. I flatter myself that the same courage which was able to deliver me from the brutal rage of the usurper, to snatch me out of his hands, and place me safe within the walls of Astorga, will conquer the whole of Leon, and by its noble efforts cause the head of the tyrant to fall.
GARC. A few days more will show if I am successful. But pray let us proceed to some other subject of conversation. If you do not consider me too bold, will you kindly tell me, Madam, to whom you have written since fate led us hither?
ELV. Why this question, and whence this anxiety?
GARC. Out of pure curiosity, Madam, that is all.
ELV. Curiosity is the daughter of jealousy.
GARC. No; it is not at all what you imagine; your commands have sufficiently cured that disease.
ELV. Without endeavouring further to discover what may be the reasons for your inquiry, I have written twice to the Countess Inez at Leon, and as often to the Marquis, Don Louis, at Burgos. Does this answer put your mind at rest?
GARC. Have you written to no one else, Madam?
ELV. No, certainly, and your questions astonish me.
GARC. Pray consider well, before you make such a statement, because people forget sometimes, and thus perjure themselves.
ELV. I cannot perjure myself in what I have stated.
GARC. You have, however, told a very great falsehood.
ELV. Prince!
GARC. Madam!
ELV. Heavens; what is the meaning of this! Speak! Have you lost your senses?
GARC. Yes, yes, I lost them, when to my misfortune I beheld you, and thus took the poison which kills me; when I thought to meet with some sincerity in those treacherous charms that bewitched me.
ELV. What treachery have you to complain of?
GARC. Oh! how double-faced she is! how well she knows to dissimulate! But all means for escape will fail you. Cast your eyes here, and recognize your writing.
[Footnote: The lines, "Heavens! what is the meaning of this?" till "and recognize your writing" have been employed again by Molière in the Misanthrope, Act iv., Scene 3, (see vol. II). The misanthrope Alceste has also in his hand the written proofs of the faithlessness of the object of his love: but his suspicions are well founded, whilst those of Don Garcia are inspired only by jealousy.]
Without having seen the other part of this letter, it is easy enough to discover for whom you employ this style.
ELV. And this is the cause of your perturbation of spirits?
GARC. Do you not blush on beholding this writing?
ELV. Innocence is not accustomed to blush.
GARC. Here indeed we see it oppressed. You disown this letter because it is not signed.
ELV. Why should I disown it, since I wrote it?
[Footnote: The words, "And this is the cause" until "since I wrote it," are, with a few slight alterations, found also in the Misanthrope, Act iv., Scene 3.]
GARC. It is something that you are frank enough to own your handwriting; but I will warrant that it was a note written to some indifferent person, or at least that the tender sentiments it contains were intended only for some lady friend or relative.
ELV. No, I wrote it to a lover, and, what is more, to one greatly beloved.
GARC. And can I, O perfidious woman…?
ELV. Bridle, unworthy Prince, the excess of your base fury. Although you do not sway my heart, and I am accountable here to none but myself, yet for your sole punishment I will clear myself from the crime of which you so insolently accuse me. You shall be undeceived; do not doubt it. I have my defence at hand. You shall be fully enlightened; my innocence shall appear complete. You yourself shall be the judge in your own cause, and pronounce your own sentence.
GARC. I cannot understand such mysterious talk.
ELV. You shall soon comprehend it to your cost. Eliza come hither!