Julian—And I loved him! Be silent and come hither. [Ernest advances.] You see she is still mine. [Presses her closer.]
Teodora—Yours—yours!
Julian—Do not act a part! Do not lie to me!
Mercedes—For God's sake! [Trying to calm him.]
Severo—Julian!
Julian [to both]—Peace. Be silent. [To Teodora.] I divined your secret. I know that you love him. [Teodora and Ernest try to protest, but he will not let them.] Madrid knows it too—all Madrid!
Ernest—No, father.
Teodora—No.
Julian—They would still deny it! When it is patent to all! When I feel it in every fibre of my being, for the fever that consumes me has illuminated my mind with its flame!
Ernest—All these fancied wrongs are the offspring of a fevered imagination, of delirium! Hear me, sir—