Act 1 — SCENE X
Hannah Lynch translation
Juana, Don Lorenzo, Dr. Tomás behind.
Dr. Tomás. Lorenzo, Lorenzo!
Don Lorenzo. [Impatiently.] What do you want?
Dr. Tomás. The duchess has come.
Don Lorenzo. An appropriate hour.
Dr. Tomás. [Aside.] What a tone! [Aloud.] Come and receive her.
Don Lorenzo. Yes, I'll go.
Juana. Don't leave me, for Christ's sake. By all that is most sacred to you I implore you to stay. [Aside.] If he only knew.
Dr. Tomás. Are you coming?
Don Lorenzo. Yes,—yes; but don't worry me. I've told you before, I'll go.
Juana. Do not leave me. I will tell you everything, everything. I will give you that paper—which your mother wrote twenty years ago—her letter—her signature—you will see. But only don't leave me yet.
Dr. Tomás. [Angrily.] Come, Lorenzo.
127Don Lorenzo. I said I would go—but afterwards. I know when I ought to go. Now leave us. [To Juana.] Give me the paper.
Juana. As soon as that man goes away.
Don Lorenzo. [Violently.] Will you go!
Dr. Tomás. But the duchess——
Don Lorenzo. Let her wait. Has she never kept others waiting in her ante-chambers? Well, then, mine are at least as good as hers.
Dr. Tomás. Are you out of your senses?
Don Lorenzo. I am in them well enough, but not in yours, where I should be ill at ease. Leave me at once.
Dr. Tomás. What can be the matter, Lorenzo? [Approaches him eagerly.]
Don Lorenzo. Nothing, nothing. I am tired of hearing you. For heaven's sake leave me alone.
Dr. Tomás. Very well, very well. But what the deuce has come over the man?