Doña Ángela. Don't continue. I can't bear to think of it.
Dr. Tomás. But think of Inés, and in thinking of her you will see that, terrible as the wound is—we must acknowledge the fact, sad as it is—it is by no means a mortal wound. For youth, what alone is mortal is to destroy the future—not simply precipitate the past into nothingness.
Doña Ángela. For mercy's sake, Tomás!
Dr. Tomás. The happiness of Inés' lifetime depends upon her father's calamity—don't forget it.
Doña Ángela. Let God's will be done, but do not seek to awaken ideas rather fitted to frighten than to comfort me.
SCENE IV
Ángela, Dr. Tomás, Don Lorenzo R.
Don Lorenzo. [Aside.] But where have I left the key? Oh, my head! and the notary will be here presently. I left the letter in the desk. I remember quite well. Two days ago, when my mother——
Dr. Tomás. [Without seeing Don Lorenzo.] Poor Doña Ángela! The proof [ordeal] will be a terrible one.
Don Lorenzo. What? What are they saying? The proof! yes; they are speaking of the proof. [Looks eagerly about the table for key of desk.]