Don Lorenzo. Avendaña, Avendaña! I don't know where he is, madam. [In sombre absent tone.]
Doña Ángela. [Aside.] What is he saying?
Inés. Goodness, what does this mean?
Duchess. I understand, Señor de Avendaña, how unwelcome must be my visit, since I come to claim of you the most precious of your possessions [points to Inés], and certainly it is not surprising that you should receive me as an enemy. [Sweetly.]
Don Lorenzo. Fate is my enemy, nobody else, madam.
Inés. [Aside.] Oh, what can have happened?
Duchess. You are right. It is the ruthless enemy of the parents.
Don Lorenzo. Still more so of the children.
Duchess. I do not deny it. But in spite of it, 'tis divine law that governs our human sorrows, and we are forced to respect it. [Makes an effort to turn the conversation, but does not conceal her wonderment.]
Don Lorenzo. Ah, madam, those laws might often prove less cruel if it were only human cruelty that dictated them. [The duchess evinces marked impatience. Edward approaches her. Inés goes to her father, while Doña Ángela and Dr. Tomás look on gloomily.]