Act 3 — SCENE IV

Ángela, Dr. Tomás, Don Lorenzo R.

Don Lorenzo. [Aside.] But where have I left the key? Oh, my head! and the notary will be here presently. I left the letter in the desk. I remember quite well. Two days ago, when my mother——

Dr. Tomás. [Without seeing Don Lorenzo.] Poor Doña Ángela! The proof [ordeal] will be a terrible one.

Don Lorenzo. What? What are they saying? The 171proof! yes; they are speaking of the proof. [Looks eagerly about the table for key of desk.]

Doña Ángela. Yes, it will be a terrible one—very terrible to walk between two precipices. Lorenzo on the one side, Inés on the other. You are right indeed.

Don Lorenzo. [Aloud, angrily.] I have lost it.

Dr. Tomás. [Aside, turning round.] I should think you have, unfortunate man.

Doña Ángela. Lorenzo!

Don Lorenzo. Ah, they're there. [Recognises them with a suspicious glance.]

Doña Ángela. [Gently.] What are you looking for? We will help you.

Don Lorenzo. You! no. Wherefore? It is my work.

Doña Ángela. But at least tell us what you have lost.

Don Lorenzo. Everything—even the love of mine own. Say if there can be more for me to lose.

Doña Ángela. No, Lorenzo, do not believe it.

Don Lorenzo. At last! The key. Heaven be praised! [Aside, distrustfully.] It was there—it was in the lock. [Opens desk and takes out the paper Juana placed there.] Ah, here it is. I breathe again freely. [Reads.] 'For Lorenzo.' This is the paper.

Doña Ángela. [Approaching.] Have you found what you were looking for?

Don Lorenzo. Yes. [Dr. Tomás also approaches.]

Doña Ángela. What paper is it?

Don Lorenzo makes a movement to take paper out of envelope, but seeing Dr. Tomás and Doña Ángela come nearer, he puts it back in desk, locks it, and pockets the key.]

172Don Lorenzo. A very important one. [Looks from one to the other angrily and suspiciously.] But why do you want to know?

Doña Ángela. Don't be offended, Lorenzo. Forgive me if I have committed an indiscretion.

Don Lorenzo. I forgive! It is I who want your forgiveness. Through me, through my fault, are you about to be plunged into misery.

Doña Ángela. Do not say so. We could never be miserable, you being happy.

Don Lorenzo. And I, could I be happy, fortune having deserted you and my beloved child?

Doña Ángela. She, too, will be happy.

Don Lorenzo. Impossible, for you know what I am thinking of.

Doña Ángela. You have told me. Don't you remember?

Don Lorenzo. [To Dr. Tomás.] And you?

Dr. Tomás. I also know.

Don Lorenzo. You approve?

Doña Ángela. [Sweetly.] Whatever you do will be well done.

Don Lorenzo. [To Dr. Tomás] What have you to say?

Dr. Tomás. The same.

Don Lorenzo. [Thoughtfully.] 'The same.' What conformity of opinion! Do you know that I have sent for a notary?

Doña Ángela. We know it.

Don Lorenzo. [Looking at both.] You know it. And do you likewise know that I am about to have a legal 173act drawn up containing my formal declaration and renunciation?

Doña Ángela. Yes, Lorenzo.

Don Lorenzo. So that the judge may then ordain as the law directs? Is it not so?

Dr. Tomás. It is natural.

Don Lorenzo. [To Doña Ángela.] What do you say to it?

Doña Ángela. [In weeping voice.] If this wealth we now enjoy is not legally yours—you do well.

Dr. Tomás. If the name you bear is not yours, you must certainly give it up.

Doña Ángela. In any case your will is law.

Don Lorenzo. Yes, but a tyrannical law, an impious law—eh?

Doña Ángela. Still, a law that I respect above all others.

Don Lorenzo. [Nervous, unquiet, almost irritable.] And you don't resist it? You don't struggle against it?

Dr. Tomás. Your conduct is that of a man of honour. Strictly speaking, there is nothing else for you to do.

Don Lorenzo. What unheard-of submission! What extraordinary docility! What a sudden change! You are deceiving me. I tell you, you are lying to me. [Violently.]

Doña Ángela. For pity's sake, Lorenzo.

Dr. Tomás. [Aside.] Ah, there is no hope. Like a black wave dementia has spread over his mind.

Don Lorenzo. [More calmly.] Well, well, better so. [Pause. Approaches Doña Ángela affectionately.] Where is Inés?

174Doña Ángela. My poor child!

Don Lorenzo. You don't defend her against me? [Then gently.] Nevertheless, it is your duty.

Doña Ángela. Alas, Lorenzo, what strength has your wretched wife to use against you? Your will grows iron in strife and calamity; mine bends to the very dust.

Don Lorenzo. You are right. My will is irresistible when duty orders me. [To Dr. Tomás.] What do you think of all this?

Dr. Tomás. That it should be so.

Don Lorenzo. So it is. [Pause.] Poor Ángela! And do you know what we are going to do once the act is signed and the proof given up?

Dr. Tomás. You have a proof?

Don Lorenzo. You didn't know. [Aside, wondering.] (And they were talking about it when I entered!) Yes, I have it, irrefutable, past doubt, clear as daylight, although it is black as night and treason.

Doña Ángela. Keep calm, Lorenzo.

Dr. Tomás. Then what is it?

Don Lorenzo. A letter of my mother's—of the woman who called herself my mother.

Doña Ángela. [Aside.] Good Heavens! Can it be true?

Don Lorenzo. Her signature, her handwriting—it is here—in my power.

Dr. Tomás. [Aside.] Ah, if it were so.

Don Lorenzo. Then when the proof is delivered up, you, my poor Inés, and I will at once leave this house—this house which already has ceased to be ours, and which this very day the law will take into possession until it is 175handed over to the heirs of Avendaña. [With increasing animation.] And in a little while we shall wander forth without resources, without a name, bearing a dying child in our arms—for have you not assured us that Inés will die? [to Dr. Tomás]—fronting a despairing solitude——no, 'twas not well said—I blasphemed. We will bear away with us an unstained honour and a tranquil conscience, and our heads will be held high, while God is with us. What matter if the world forsake us, thus accompanied?

Doña Ángela. [Embracing him.] Before, I said with my lips only: 'Your will is law, Lorenzo.' Now I say it with my heart.

Dr. Tomás. [Aside.] If the proof exists, this man is a saint. But, alas! if it does not exist, the unfortunate fellow is nothing but a lunatic. [Enter servant.]

Servant. The Duchess of Almonte, and his Grace the Duke.

Doña Ángela. Show them in. [To Dr. Tomás.] Have you informed them?

Dr. Tomás. [To Doña Ángela.] I told them last night. The duchess promised to come. You see, she has kept her word.

Don Lorenzo. I cannot see them. I must be alone, unless you are with me—only you. Good-bye, Ángela.

Doña Ángela. Good-bye, Lorenzo.

Don Lorenzo. [Looking at his watch.] How slowly time passes! [Goes to door R. Dr. Tomás follows him.] Have you given notice to the witnesses? [At door.]

Dr. Tomás. I have two inside waiting, and another will be here presently.

Don Lorenzo. Who are they?

Dr. Tomás. You don't know them. They are friends of mine.

176Don Lorenzo. And why not mine too?

Dr. Tomás. I always considered my friends as yours.

Don Lorenzo. [Looks at him for a moment.] So they are. [Aside.] Ah, this complaisance! I would have preferred to see them resist—struggle against me!