The Duenna: A Comic Opera Part 11

_Don Ant_. No, believe me. You are heartily welcome to every thing she has.

_Isaac_. Well, i'faith, you have the best of the bargain, as to beauty, twenty to one. Now I'll tell you a secret--I am to carry off Louisa this very evening.

_Don. Louisa_. Indeed!

_Isaac_. Yes, she has sworn not to take a husband from her father's hand--so I've persuaded him to trust her to walk with me in the garden, and then we shall give him the slip.

_Don. Louisa_. And is Don Jerome to know nothing of this?

_Isaac_. O Lud, no! there lies the jest. Don't you see that, by this step, I over-reach him? I shall be ent.i.tled to the girl's fortune, without settling a ducat on her. Ha! ha! ha! I'm a cunning dog, an't I? a sly little villain, eh?

_Don Ant_. Ha! ha! ha! you are indeed!

_Isaac_. Roguish, you'll say, but keen, eh? devilish keen?

_Don Ant_. So you are indeed--keen--very keen.

_Isaac_. And what a laugh we shall have at Don Jerome's when the truth comes out I hey?

_Don. Louisa_. Yes, I'll answer for it, we shall have a good laugh, when the truth comes out, Ha! ha! ha!

_Re-enter_ DON CARLOS.

_Don Car_. Here are the dancers come to practise the fandango you intended to have honoured Donna Louisa with.

_Isaac_. Oh, I shan't want them; but, as I must pay them, I'll see a caper for my money. Will you excuse me?

_Don. Louisa_. Willingly.

_Isaac_. Here's my friend, whom you may command for any service.

Madam, our most obedient--Antonio, I wish you all happiness.-- [_Aside_.] Oh, the easy blockhead! what a tool I have made of him!-- This was a masterpiece! [_Exit_.]

_Don. Louisa_. Carlos, will you be my guard again, and convey me to the convent of St. Catherine?

_Don Ant_. Why, Louisa--why should you go there?

_Don. Louisa_. I have my reasons, and you must not be seen to go with me; I shall write from thence to my father; perhaps, when he finds what he has driven me to, he may relent.

_Don Ant_. I have no hope from him. O Louisa! in these arms should be your sanctuary.

_Don. Louisa_. Be patient but for a little while--my father cannot force me from thence. But let me see you there before evening, and I will explain myself.

_Don Ant_. I shall obey.

_Don. Louisa_. Come, friend. Antonio, Carlos has been a lover himself.

_Don Ant_. Then he knows the value of his trust.

_Don Car_. You shall not find me unfaithful.

TRIO.

Soft pity never leaves the gentle breast Where love has been received a welcome guest; As wandering saints poor huts have sacred made, He hallows every heart he once has sway'd, And, when his presence we no longer share, Still leaves compa.s.sion as a relic there. [_Exeunt_.]

ACT III.

SCENE I.--_A Library in_ DON JEROME'S _House_.

Enter_ DON JEROME _and_ SERVANT.

_Don Jer_. Why, I never was so amazed in my life! Louisa gone off with Isaac Mendoza! What! steal away with the very man whom I wanted her to marry--elope with her own husband, as it were--it is impossible!

_Ser_. Her maid says, sir, they had your leave to walk in the garden, while you were abroad. The door by the shrubbery was found open, and they have not been heard of since. [_Exit_.]

_Don Jer_. Well, it is the most unaccountable affair! 'sdeath! there is certainly some infernal mystery in it I can't comprehend!

_Enter_ SECOND SERVANT, _with a letter_.

_Ser_. Here is a letter, sir, from Signor Isaac. [_Exit_.]

_Don Jer_. So, so, this will explain--ay, Isaac Mendoza--let me see-- [_Reads_.]

_Dearest Sir,

You must, doubtless, be much surprised at my flight with your daughter!_--yes, 'faith, and well I may--_I had the happiness to gain her heart at our first interview_--The devil you had!--_But, she having unfortunately made a vow not to receive a husband from your hands, I was obliged to comply with her whim!_--So, so!--_We shall shortly throw ourselves at your feet, and I hope you will have a blessing ready for one, who will then be your son-in-law_. ISAAC MENDOZA.

A whim, hey? Why, the devil's in the girl, I think! This morning, she would die sooner than have him, and before evening she runs away with him! Well, well, my will's accomplished--let the motive be what it will--and the Portuguese, sure, will never deny to fulfil the rest of the article.

_Re-enter_ SERVANT, _with another letter_.

_Ser_. Sir, here's a man below, who says he brought this from my young lady, Donna Louisa. [_Exit_.]

_Don Jer_. How! yes, it's my daughter's hand, indeed! Lord, there was no occasion for them both to write; well, let's see what she says-- [_Reads_.]

_My dearest father,

How shall I entreat your pardon for the rash step I have taken--how confess the motive?_--Pish! hasn't Isaac just told me the motive?--one would think they weren't together when they wrote.--_If I have a spirit too resentful of ill usage, I have also a heart as easily affected by kindness_.--So, so, here the whole matter comes out; her resentment for Antonio's ill usage has made her sensible of Isaac's kindness--yes, yes, it is all plain enough. Well. _I am not married yet, though with a man who, I am convinced, adores me_.--Yes, yes, I dare say Isaac is very fond of her. _But I shall anxiously expect your answer, in which, should I be so fortunate as to receive your consent, you will make completely happy your ever affectionate daughter,_ LOUISA.

My consent! to be sure she shall have it! Egad, I was never better pleased--I have fulfilled my resolution--I knew I should. Oh, there's nothing like obstinacy! Lewis! [_Calls_.]

_Re-enter_ SERVANT.