Enter Don Zancho hastily: Elvira turning about, they both startle, and stand awhile as it were amazed.
Don Z. O heavens! what is't I see? 'Tis mere illusion,
Or 'tis the devil in that angel's form,
Come here to finish by another hand
The fatal work that she began upon me
By Don Fernando's.
Elv. Good gods! Don Zancho here! it cannot be!
Or 'tis his ghost, come to revenge his death
On its occasioner; for, were he alive,
He could not but have more humanity
Than (having been my ruin at Madrid,
And robb'd me of my home and honour there)
To envy me an obscure shelter here.
[Whilst they amazed step back from one another, enter Don Julio, who, seeing Don Zancho with his back towards him, drawing his sword, says—
Don J. Think not (whoe'er thou art), by flying thus
From room to room, to 'scape my just revenge.
Shouldst thou retire to th' centre of the earth,
This sword should find thee there, and pierce thy heart.
[Throwing down the candle, he makes towards Don Zancho; but upon his turning about towards him, he makes a little stop, and says—
Nay then, if it be you, I'm happy yet
In my misfortune, since the gods thus give me
The means at once, and by the self-same stroke,
To right my honour, and revenge my friend;
And, by that action, fully to comply
With what the Duke requires in the behalf
Of wrong'd Don Pedro.
[Don Julio makes at Don Zancho: he draws, and they begin to fight; Elvira crying out, Help! help! runs to part them, and they stop upon her interposing.
Enter Don Fernando hastily over the stage, as coming from the private apartment.
Don F. I hear an outcry and [a] clattering of swords.
My friend (engag'd) must find me by his side.