SCENE II.—ALBERT, MASCARILLE.
ALB. Who knocks?
MASC. A friend.
ALB. What brings you hither, Mascarille?
MASC. I come, sir, to wish you good-morning.
ALB. Hah! you really take a great deal of pains. Good-morning, then, with all my heart. (He goes in).
MASC. The answer is short and sweet. What a blunt old fellow he is. (Knocks).
ALB. What, do you knock again?
MASC. You have not heard me, sir.
ALB. Did you not wish me good-morning?
MASC. I did.
ALB. Well, then, good morning I say. (Is going; Mascarille stops him).
MASC. But I likewise come to pay Mr. Polydore's compliments to you.
ALB. Oh! that is another thing. Has your master ordered you to give his compliments to me?
MASC. Yes.
ALB. I am obliged to him; you may go; tell him I wish him all kind of happiness. (Exit).
MASC. This man is an enemy to all ceremony. (Knocks). I have not finished, sir, giving you his whole message; he has a favour to request of you.
ALB. Well, whenever he pleases, I am at his service.
MASC. (Stopping him). Stay, and allow me to finish in two words. He desires to have a few minutes' conversation with you about an important affair, and he will come hither.
ALB. Hey! what affair can that be which makes him wish to have some conversation with me?
MASC. A great secret, I tell you, which he has but just discovered, and which, no doubt, greatly concerns you both. And now I have delivered my message.
SCENE III.—ALBERT, alone.
ALB. Righteous Heavens! how I tremble! Polydore and I have had little acquaintance together; my designs will all be overthrown; this secret is, no doubt, that of which I dread the discovery. They have bribed somebody to betray me; so there is a stain upon my honour which can never be wiped off. My imposture is found out. Oh! how difficult it is to keep the truth concealed for any length of time! How much better would it have been for me and my reputation had I followed the dictates of a well-founded apprehension! Many times and oft have I been tempted to give up to Polydore the wealth I withhold from him, in order to prevent the outcry that will be raised against me when everything shall be known, and so get the whole business quietly settled. But, alas! it is now too late, the opportunity is gone, and this wealth, which wrongfully came into my family, will be lost to them, and sweep away the greatest part of my own property with it.