ACT THREE
Scene—Evening in a Spanish patio in the governor’s palace. It is seen obliquely. In the foreground and on the three other sides a portico of columns surrounds the central space which is open to the sky. The court is ornamented with flowers and shrubs and pomegranate, orange, myrtle and laurel trees in red earthen pots. Seats of all kinds are scattered about. At the foot, on the ground floor, is a large chamber with a door in the middle and windows on the sides. At the right, in the foreground, under the portico, a small stairway of five carpeted steps faces the audience and ends on a landing which gives access to a vestibule and the bridal chamber, where the outlines of dimly-lighted windows are seen. The columns of the portico are decorated with palms, foliage and flowers fastened with silk ribbons. Roses and jasmines climb on the walls. At the left, clearly in view, is a door opening on the street, which is brightly lighted by the moon when the door is open. The moon also shines intensely bright on the front and right side of the house. The rooms on the first floor have lighted windows. Lanterns hang from the pillars of the portico. Hung from a pillar at the left, a Madonna lamp lights the front of the scene. There are doors at the right, the left, the foot and at the extremities of the portico.
Through the door and windows of the first floor is seen the great dining chamber containing a table. In the scene, cavaliers, women, bourgeoise and invited guests of all kinds are seated everywhere; valets are hurrying about passing basins of silver with fruits, cake, etc. The señoras, seated, fan themselves, chatter and gossip. There is a loud noise of talk and laughter. Music is heard in the banquet hall, interrupted with lively bursts of applause and exclamations of joy. Little Spanish airs are played sweetly on instruments like flutes, violins and hautebois.
Scene One
Cardenos, Ramiro, Doña Rufina, Doña Serafina, Doña Syrena, Doña Fabia, Velasco, Don Ambrosio, Rioubos, Cristobol, Cavaliers, Women, etc.
Ambrosio, Syrena, Serafina, Fabia, are seated in the foreground. Cristobol and Rioubos are outside.
Doña Fabia. Ah! here is Doña Rufina.
Doña Rufina enters with Ramiro into the foreground. Salutations.
Ramiro. (To Doña Rufina) Then, Señora, you were not at the cathedral?
Doña Rufina. (Seating herself in a chair which Ramiro places at the left) No!—I have just arrived from Aranjuez, bringing the Queen’s gift to the bride—a very costly girdle-buckle.