Leo. [Aside.] Jacinta winks; I guess what Scene they have been acting here. My Part is now to play.
[To Don Ped.] I see, Sir, he dares own it: Nor is he the first lover has pressum'd beyond the Countenance he ever has receiv'd. Pray draw near, and hear what he has more to say: It is my Interest you shou'd know the Depth of all has ever passed between us.
Leo. [To Don Guz.] I fain wou'd know, Don Guzman, whether in the whole Conduct of my Life, you have known one step, that cou'd encourage you to hope I ever cou'd be yours, but on the Terms of Honour which you sought me?
Don Guz. Not one.
Leo. Why then should you believe I cou'd forgive the taking that by Force, which you already were convinc'd I valu'd more the keeping, than my Life?
Don Guz. Had my Love been as temperate as yours, I with your Reason had perhaps debated. But not in Reason, but in Flames, I flew to Leonora.
Leo. If strong Temptation be allow'd a Plea, Vice, in the worst of Shapes, has much to urge:—No, cou'd any Thing have shaken me in Virtue, it must have been the Strength of it in you. Had you shone bright enough to dazzle me, I blindly might have missed the Path I meant to tread: But now you have clear'd my Sight for ever. If, therefore, from this Moment more you dare to let me know one Thought of Love, though in the humblest Stile, expect to be a Sacrifice to him you attempt to wrong.——Farewel!
[She retires from him.
Don Guz. O stay and hear me!—I have wrong'd myself; I'm innocent!—--By all that's sacred, just and good, I'm innocent!