Tales of the Wonder Club Volume III Part 8

D. PAS. Oh, say that again.

Thou wilt not leave me.

INEZ. (_Confused._) That is, not yet.

I mean----

D. PAS. Nay, qualify not what was once well said; I hold thee to thy word. Thou must not leave me.

INEZ. Thou wouldst extort a promise. Be but calm, Obey my orders until thou be well, And I know not what I may not promise.

D. PAS. I will obey thee, maid.

INEZ. Then now be still.

GIP. Q. (_Aside._) Drift on, young turtle doves, adown the stream The balmy course the stars map out for ye.

Pepa can look on at the joys of others That were denied herself, unenvying.

But mark, Pascual, if thou dost inherit But one drop of thy hated father's blood, Whose cursed name shall ne'er more pa.s.s my lips, And thou, with subtle wile, like to thy sire, Should first attempt to gain the trusting love Of this fair damsel, and then betray her, I, Pepa, though thy mother, with this hand Will quench that spark of life I gave to thee.

SCENE III.--_Study of Don Silvio. D. Silvio is discovered pacing up and down dejectedly._

D. SIL. The day wears on, and still there is no sign Of Pedro and my daughter. 'Tis full time.

It wants an hour to sundown; and ere then I dread another visit from Don Diego; Before this sand is spent he will be here.

He never yet did come behind his time.

Hark! I hear footsteps in the corridor.

'Tis he. He's come for news about my daughter.

This the very night, too, of the wedding.

What shall I say to him, or how shall I----?

_An abrupt knock at the door of the study, and enter_ DON DIEGO.

D. DIE. Well, friend Silvio, well. Art thou nigh prepared?

Where is the gentle Inez? Bring her forth.

D. SIL. (_Humbly._) Worthy Don Diego, I do much regret My daughter Inez has not yet arrived.

D. DIE. Not yet arrived! Why it's long past the time.

D. SIL. I doubt not but what she will soon be here.

D. DIE. Soon! Didst thou say soon? Ay, marry ought she, An she left St. Ursula's at daybreak.

Stay, this cas.e.m.e.nt that opens towards the west Ought to command a wide extensive view.

Lo! yonder lies the road that she should come; My sight is good, an yet I see no one.

(_Suspiciously_) Hark ye, Don Silvio. Some new wile is this.

D. SIL. Nay, on mine honour, Diego. Think not thus.

Be patient yet awhile and thou shalt see----

D. DIE. Patience! What, patience! But I'll have my bond.

_Enter_ RODRIGUEZ _frantically_.

ROD. Oh, holy Virgin and good saints in Heaven!

Oh, blessed martyrs! Souls in Purgatory!

Would that Rodriguez ne'er had seen this day!

Oh, holy saints! Have mercy on us now!

D. SIL. How now, Rodriguez! What means all this riot?

ROD. Oh, peace! my master! Hold me ere I faint.

D. SIL. Speak! Rodriguez.

ROD. Alack! Alack! the day.

D. SIL. Nay, cease thy sobs, and more explicit be.

ROD. Oh, holy San Antonio be our guide!

My master, what ill luck's befallen the house!

D. DIE. Explain thyself, vile hag, and prate no more!

ROD. Oh, mercy on us! I can't speak for sobbing.

Oh, what disaster! Oh, what dire mishap!

Help us, ye saints.

D. DIE. This is past all bearing!

Speak out, thou limb of Satan, or I swear By the foul fiend that 'gat thee, I will force The lying words from out thy strumpet's throat.

ROD. Nay, good my liege, be calm. I'll tell you all.

The Lady Inez----

D. DIE. Ha! and what of her?

ROD. In sooth, my lord, but I am very faint.

D. SIL. AND D. DIE. (_Angrily._) Speak out! Speak out! Alack!

and well-a-day!

D. DIE. Zounds!

ROD. The Lady Inez and good Pedro Started from St. Ursula's this morning Upon their mules, and were about half-way Upon their journey, when from ambush sprang Some dusky ruffians of the gipsy band, Who, having bound, robbed, and detained the pair----

D. SIL. My daughter captured by the gipsies! Oh!

[_Groans bitterly._

D. DIE. Foul hag, thou liest. Now hark ye, Silvio.

This is some farce got up to play me false.

But think not, sirrah, to elude me thus.