Scene Four
The same, Don Enrique, Lopez de Padilla, guests, men and women, etc.
Don Enrique, accompanied by Lopez de Padilla and other cavaliers and gentlemen, descends from the banquet chamber in the midst of an uproar of congratulations and salutations, the cavaliers kissing the hands of the women. The guests begin to disperse. Most of them go out of the door into the street; others go out at the left. There is laughter as they go away.
Doña Rufina, Doña Fabia and Doña Syrena. (To Enrique, laughing and making courtesies) Good night, my lord.
He conducts them to the door opening on the street. Returning, he finds Padilla and some friends. Meanwhile the servants put out the lanterns and the patio is lighted only by the moon.
Padilla. (Surrounded by the men, to Enrique) The only thing which marred this feast, Don Enrique, was the absence of your father, whom we needed.
Enrique. It was the fulfillment of his dearest wish and I thank Your Excellency.
Padilla. I have bestowed upon you, my child, all of the esteem and affection which I had for the dear companion-in-arms of my youth. I have placed in your care what is dearest to me in this world with the assurance that you will be a tender husband to my adored daughter.
Enrique. And to you, my lord (he kisses his hand) a most respectful son.
Padilla. (To the others) Then, gentlemen, it is time for such graybeards as we to leave this impatient youth.—Until tomorrow, my child!
Enrique. Until tomorrow, my father!
While the valets are closing the street door on the last departing guests, Padilla and the other gentlemen go towards the left door, accompanied to the threshold by Enrique. Joana’s women attendants descend the stairway, cross the patio and leave by the door at the right. They meet Enrique coming up. He descends and receives their salutes as they pass, turning toward the stairway to re-ascend after they have disappeared. At that moment all is dark, except the vestibule, the landing-place and the right window. While the women are going out, Zoraya comes out of the vestibule, stops on the landing-place to assure herself that the patio is vacant and motionless awaits Enrique.