Laza. No, Signor; I am an apprentice to the armourer who has in charge the arquebusses of the Royal Guards. Don C. Well, that's no reason that you should drown yourself.

Laza. No, Signor; but this morning, under the pretext that the arms were neglected, the captain ordered me to receive fifty lashes.

Don C. [Indignantly.] Fifty!

Laza. It was not the number, Signor; I do not mind suffering, but ONE blow is too much to bear.

Don C. [Crosses to Don Jose, R.] The boy is a true Spaniard; [Familiarly.] WE-WE must speak in his favour, Don Jose.

Laza. My lieutenant interceded for me, but in vain, Sig

nor.

Don C. Possibly; but he will not refuse the request of such noble advocates as ourselves, [Takes Don Jose's arm.] Don Jose.

Don J. Pardon me; [Releasing his arm gently.] but at present, there are reasons for my non-interference.

Don C. Oh, very well! then the boy must be dependent upon my influence alone. [Footsteps heard. Laza. [Looks off, L. U. E.] Ah! I am pursued! I shall be again degraded.

[Going. Don C. Stay! place yourself behind me, we will defend

Don C. [Bows.] Yes, Don Cæsar and his sword.

Don J. You forget the royal edict.

[About to draw.

Don C. The- -[About to utter an imprecation-removes his hat.] "But it is the Carnival Week."

[Trumpet.]

Enter CAPTAIN and SOLDIERS, L. S. E., they cross at back

to R.

Cap. There is your prisoner, secure him.

[Points to Lazarillo.

Don C. [Interfering humbly.] One moment, captain ;allow me, suffer me, to humbly intercede for this young delinquent.

Cap. To Soldiers, who pause, and not regarding Don Cæsar.] Soldiers! why do you pause?

[The Soldiers advance.

Laza. Oh, mercy! captain, mercy!

Don C. You do not hear him, captain; the poor lad sues for mercy. Let me [Uncovering.] join with him in

supplicating pardon.

Cap. To Lazarillo.] Back to your duty, sirrah! I heed neither your tears nor the mouthings of this sottish mum

mer.

Don C. [Indignantly.] What! [Recollecting himself.] That cursed edict! Oh, if it were not the Hanging Week! [Calmly.] But, captain, if he returns, no blows; see, tears! they are not easily wrung from so brave a heart. [Captain crosses R.] Pardon, captain. [Detains him by the cloak. Cap. [Snatching it away.] Unhand me! [Takes stage, R. Don C. [Indignantly.] Dare-[Recollecting.] Oh, that edict that cursed edict!

Don J. [Aside to Don Cæsar, c., and going up.] Hard words, Don Cæsar.

Don C. [To Captain.] One word more. You are a gentleman and a soldier, so am I; I have pledged my honour to protect this boy, you understand; I have sued, implored you to forgive. [Crosses round to R. with Lazarillo. Cap. You have my answer. [Crosses, L. Don C. No: what I solicited in vain, I must now com

Don C. Enough. In spite of the royal edict, I must have the amende, my noble captain.

Cap. How?

Don C. How! with my sword, which will ennoble yours by the contact. I am Don Cæsar de Bazan, [Replacing his hat.] Count de Garofa, possessing the right to remain covered in the presence of the King. I have sued to you, humbly sued to you, and you have insulted me and the royal edict. [Draws.

Cap. A challenge!

Don C. Yes, which you will accept, if you have either shame or courage.

Cap. You shall not doubt the latter; follow me, and receive the proof.

| Exit, L. U. E.

Laza. (R.) You fight for me, oh, no! I will return, Don Cæsar.

Don C. (R. C.) You shall, my gallant lad, to your lieutenant, who would have spared you the ignominy of a blow; be patient, and in ten minutes I will make him a captain. [Exeunt all but Don Jose, L. U. E,

Don J. Don Cæsar was the best swordsman in Madrid; should he retain his cunning, my plans will soon have a happy consummation; the edict enforced, Don Cæsar's reckless nature will make him the easy means of Maritana's advancement. Ah! here comes the fair enslaver of the King.

Enter MARITANA, L.; she wears a scarf of gaudy colors. Marit. Again the Queen has smiled upon me. It is no idle phantasy that fills my brain; some lucky accident may place me at the height of my ambition. [Sees Don Josc.] Ah! Signor.

Don J. I would fain know what pleasant thoughts gave birth to such bright smiles, Maritana.

Marit. The Queen, Signor, the Queen! you see I have not been a niggard of your gift.

[Shows scarf. Don J. And you think yourself rich in the possession of such a trifle. Čonfide in me, and ere long the gayest lady of the court shall yield to you in splendour.

Marit. I dare not listen to you. I dare not trust the longing of my heart.

Don J. Wherefore?

Marit. My roving life has taugat me truths beyond the common experience of my years. I have seen the rich man's idol of to-day the outcast of to-morrow. No, no, [Mournfully.] my destiny is known to me.

Don J. You do not believe your own prophecies; you may gull the dullards who bribe you to promise fortune, but know yourself the cheat. I will show you my skill in palmistry; [Takes her hand.] to-morrow you shall be a

countess.

Marit. [Delighted.] A countess! [Pauses.] A countess but in name.

Don J. Nay, by right of honorable alliance. You know me not, or you would not doubt my power to realize the

hopes I have awakened. You rescued but now a stranger from the extortions of your band.

Marit. Yes, yes; he saved me from insult, I but repaid the debt I owed him.

Don J. Though now a ruined spendthrift, he is of noble lineage. He loves you, Maritana.

Marit. [Appears affected.] Indeed, Signor.

Don J. I have promised to be his advocate; should you consent to share his name and fortunes, I will restore him to position.

Marit. Have you the

power?

Don J. Don Jose, the favourite minister of Charles of Spain, could do much more.

Marit. And you are—

Don J. Don Jose, commissioned by the Queen to raise Maritana to the rank she covets.

Marit. Indeed! then I have not dreamed; I have not trusted to phantom hopes.

Don J. Before to-morrow, I will prove their reality.

[Murmurs heard. Maritana appears overpowered. Don J. Looks off-aside.] Ah! fortune befriends me; Don Cæsar is the victor, and already in the hands of the alguazils. (Music is heard.).-[Aloud.] Your hand, fair lady; let me lead you to your honours. [Exeunt, R.

"Four Alguazils enter, conducting Don Cæsar, Lazarillo "follows weeping. The crowd of dancers, &c., appear by gesture to taunt Don Cæsar; he walks proudly.

66

"An Officer and twelve Soldiers enter from opposite side. "Soldiers march round and clear crowd back R. and L. "and go off with Don Casar, U. E. R., crowd taunting him "at end of chorus. Six Soldiers cross from U. E. L. to R. "down stage; six ditto down L., meet and charge crowd ир, and range R. and L. All exeunt, U. E. R. at end of

66

Clock chimes and strikes Five at change of Scene. "chorus."

SCENE II.—A Prison; doors, R. and L.

Clock (at work).

A Table and Stools.

Enter PEDRO, R. and LOPEZ, L.

Pedro. Good news, good news! The Royal Idiot has sent you a prisoner.

Lopez. Good news, truly! It is now a week since I had the pleasure of turning a key upon any one, but my wife. But are you sure the news is true?

Pedro, True? I saw the duel; I saw the hot-blooded ruffler in the presence of the Alcade, who has been idle too long to let a chance escape him. the prisoner.

Enter DON CESAR and LAZARIllo, r. two Soldiers appear at the door, and Cæsar and Lazarillo.

See! here comes

Two Alguazils and all exeunt but Don

Laza. Arrested, tried, and condemned, all within an hour; he has but two hours to live!

Don C. [Looking at clock.] Two hours more; how the deuce am I to pass my time? I shall die of ennui. [Takes a chair and sits, L. c.-pause.] If you were in my place, and had a couple of hours before you, how would you employ them?

Laza. In recalling the errors of my past life.

Don C. What, in two hours? You must be very ignorant of my biography; recal my past errors-no, there is no time for that. I'll make my will; no, that would not consume two minutes.

Laza. Oh, signor, [Taking his hand and sobbing.] I have been the cause of this; it is for me you are about to die. Is there no service by which I can show my regret, my gratitude?

Don C. Yes, you can oblige me materially. Laza. Oh, how ? say how! [Clinging to his hana. Don C. By showing a little more regard for my lace ruffle; see, how you've torn it!

Laza. Alas! Is there no one to entreat your pardon from the King? No one has yet pleaded for you.

Don C. Nay, boy, all are not so indifferent to my fate. There was one venerable old man who threw himself in