Doña Ángela, Inés, Duchess, and Edward.
The three women in the middle of the stage, Edward
listening at the closet door.
Inés. Oh, pity, Heaven, and save him.
Doña Ángela. [Embracing her.] You are right. Let us only think of him, pray for him alone.
Duchess. It is a sacred duty for you to place poor Don Lorenzo's welfare before your own happiness; but in any case, it is no less a sacred obligation to conform to a higher will than ours. [Pause.]
Inés. [To Edward.] What are they saying? Tell us, Edward, what they are saying.
Edward. He is talking; his words are cold and severe, but not in the least uncertain or troubled. [Edward returns to the door.]
Doña Ángela. What anguish! What anxiety! Death were preferable to this torture.
Inés. What can it matter what my father says since he is already judged beforehand?