Part 2 / Act 3 — SCENE changes to Leonora's Bed-Chamber; discovers Leonora in a Gown, holding Don John by the Sleeve.

Leo. Whoever you are, Villain, you shan't escape me; and tho' your Efforts have been in vain, you shan't fail to receive the Recompence of your Attempt: Help, ho, help there! help!

[Don John breaks from her, but can't find the Door.

Don John. [Aside.] S'death, I shall be undone! Where is this damn'd Door?

Leo. He'll get away: a Light there, quickly.

Enter Don Guzman with his Sword drawn.

Don Guz. Where are you, fair Angel? I come to lose my Life in your Defence.

Don John. [Aside.] That's Guzman's Voice? The Devil has sent him: But we are still in the dark; I have one Tour yet—Impudence, be my Aid. Light there, ho! Where is the Villain that durst attempt the virtuous Leonora.

Don Guz. His Life shall make her Satisfaction.

Don John. Or mine shall fall in his pursuit.

Don Guz. 'Tis by my Hands that she shall see him die.

Don John. My Sword shall lay him bleeding at her Feet.

Leo. [Aside.] What can this mean? But here's Light at last, thank the just bounteous Heaven.

Don John. Enter with the Light there; but secure the Door, lest the Traitor 'scape my Vengeance.

Enter Don Pedro, with a Light, he finds Leonora between them; both their Swords drawn.

Leo. O Heavens! what is't I see?

Don John. Don Pedro here!

Don Ped. What monstrous Scene is this?

[Aside.

Don Guz. What Accident has brought him here?

[Aside.

Don John. How I'm intrigu'd, indeed.

[Aside.

[Don Pedro steps back and shuts the Door.

Don Ped. [Aside.] This Mystery must unfold before we part. What Torments has my Fate provided me? Is this the Comfort I'm to reap, to dry my Tears, for my poor Father's death? [To Leo.] Ah Leonora!

Leo. [Aside.] Alas! where will this end!

[Falling into a Chair.

Don Ped. [Aside.] Naked! and thus attended at the dead of Night! My Soul is froze at what I see. Confusion sits in all their Faces, and in large Characters I read the Ruin of my Honour and my Love.

[To the Men.] Speak, Statues, if you yet have Power to speak, why at this Time of Night you are found with Leonora?——None speak! Don John, it is from you I ought to know.

Don John. My Silence may inform you.

Don Ped. Your Silence does inform me of my Shame, but I must have some Information more; explain the whole.

Don John. I shall. You remember, Don Pedro——

Don Ped. Be quick.

Don John. You remember you charged me before you went——

Don Ped. I remember well; go on.

Don John. With the Care of your Honour.

Don Ped. I did; dispatch.

Don John. Very well; you see Don Guzman in this Apartment, you see your Wife naked, and you see me, my Sword in my Hand;—that's all.

Don Ped. [Drawing upon Don Guz.] 'Tis here, then, I am to revenge my Wrongs.

Don Guz. Hold.

Don Ped. Villain, defend thyself.

Leo. O Heaven!

Don Guz. Yet hear me.

Don Ped. What canst thou say?

Don Guz. The Truth, as holy Heaven itself is Truth! I heard the Shrieks and Cries of Leonora; what the Occasion was I knew not; but she repeated them with so much Vehemence, I found, whatever her Distress might be, her Succour must be sudden; so leapt the Wall that parts our Houses, and flew to her Assistance. Don John can, if he please, inform you more.

Don Ped. [Aside.] Mankind's a Villain, and this may be true; yet 'tis too monstrous for a quick Conception. I shou'd be cautious how I wrong Don John. Sure 'tis not right to balance. I yet have but their Words against their Words; I know Don John for my Friend, and Guzman for my Rival. What can be clearer? Yet hold! If Leonora's innocent, she may untangle all. Madam, I shou'd be glad to know (if I have so much Interest left) which Way your Evidence will point my Sword.

Leo. My Lord, I'm in the same Perplexity with you: All I can say is this; one of them came to force me, t'other to save me: but the Night confounding the Villainy of the Guilty with the Generosity of the Innocent, I still am ignorant to which I owe my Gratitude, or my Resentment.

Don Guz. But, Madam, did you not hear me cry, I came to help you?

Leo. I own it.

Don John. And did you not hear me threaten to destroy the Author of your Fears?

Leo. I can't deny it.

Don Guz. What can there be more to clear me?

Don John. Or me?

Don Ped. Yet one's a Villain still.

[Aside.] My Confusion but increases; yet why confus'd? It is, it must be Guzman. But how came Don John here? Right. Guzman has said how he came to her Aid, but Alvarada cou'd not enter but by Treason. Then perish——

Don Guz.. Who?

Don John. Who?

Don Ped. Just Gods, instruct me who!

Don. Felix knocks.

Don Fel. [Within.] Let me in, open the Door.

Leo. 'Tis my Father.

Don Ped. No Matter; keep the Door fast. [Aside.] I'll have this Matter go no further, till I can reach the Depth on't. Don Guzman, leave the House; I must suspend my Vengeance for a Time.

Don Guz. I obey you; but I'll lose my Life, or shew my Innocence.

[Exit Don Guz.

Don Fel. [Within.] Open the Door; why am I kept out?

Don Ped. Don John, follow me by this back Way. And you, Leonora, retire.

[Exit Leonora.

Don John. [Aside, following Don Ped.] If Don Guzman's Throat were cut, would not this Bustle end?—Yes——Why then, if his Throat be not cut, may this Bustle end me!