Foster-Mother. My honour'd master!
Lord Albert used to talk so.

Maria. Yes! my mother! 250
These are my Albert's lessons, and I con them
With more delight than, in my fondest hour,
I bend me o'er his portrait.

Velez (to the Foster-Mother). My good woman,
You may retire. [Exit the Foster-Mother.
Velez. We have mourn'd for Albert.
[[575]] Have I no living son?

Maria. Speak not of him! [255]
That low imposture—my heart sickens at it,
If it be madness, must I wed a madman?
And if not madness, there is mystery,
And guilt doth lurk behind it!

Valdez. Is this well?

Maria. Yes! it is truth. Saw you his countenance? [260]
How rage, remorse, and scorn, and stupid fear,
Displac'd each other with swift interchanges?
If this were all assumed, as you believe,
He must needs be a most consummate actor;
And hath so vast a power to deceive me, 265
I never could be safe. And why assume
The semblance of such execrable feelings?

Velez. Ungrateful woman! I have tried to stifle
An old man's passion! Was it not enough
That thou hast made my son a restless man, [270]
[[576]] Banish'd his health and half-unhinged his reason,
But that thou wilt insult him with suspicion,
And toil to blast his honour? I am old—
A comfortless old man! Thou shalt not stay
Beneath my roof!

[Francesco enters and stands listening.

Velez. Repent and marry him— [275]
Or to the convent.

Francesco (muttering). Good! good! very good!