Florencio. No, I prefer to fight. My dear Zurita, run in search of another friend and stop at the Hotel de Europa as my representatives. Seek out this man, exact reparation upon the spot—a reparation which shall be resounding, complete. Either he declares over his own signature that those letters are impudent forgeries or, should he refuse....
Carolina. Florencio!
Florencio. Stop at nothing! Do not haggle over terms. Let it be pistols with real bullets, as we pace forward each to each!
Zurita. But, Don Florencio!
Carolina. Don't go, I beg of you! Don't leave the house!
Florencio. You are my friend—go at once!
Carolina. No, he will never go!
Zurita. But, Don Florencio! Consider.... The situation is serious.
Florencio. When a man is made ridiculous the situation ceases to be serious! How shall I have the face to show myself before the monument! I—his most intimate friend! She, my wife, his widow! And everybody thinking all the while of those letters, imagining that I, that she.... No, no! Run! Bring me that retraction at once.
Zurita. Not so fast! I hear the voice of Valdivieso.