e love, which has thrice
come to my succor, which has eventually saved me, which, having no
sacrifice but itself to offer on the altar of misfortune, accomplishes
the immolation with one hand, and, with the other, offers to me in
this (he shows the letter) the restoration of my honor, the esteem of
my king, the admiration of the universe.

(Enter Paquita, who makes a sign to Faustine, then goes out.)

Faustine (aside)
Ah! Sarpi has now his countess. (To Fontanares) Your life, your glory,
your fortune, your honor, are at last in my hands alone! Marie no
longer stands between us!

Fontanares
Us! Us!

Faustine
Contradict me not, Alfonso! I have conquered all that is yours; do not
refuse me your heart! You will never gain a love more devoted, more
submissive, more full of sympathy than mine; for at last you shall
become the great man that you deserve to be.

Fontanares
Your audacity astounds me. (He shows the letter.) With a sum of money
guaranteed me here I am once more the sole arbiter of my destiny. When
the king sees the character and the results of my work, he will cancel
that marriage, which has been obtained by violence. And my love for
Marie is such that I can wait till then.

Faustine
Fontanares, if I love you distractedly, it is perhaps because of that
delightful simplicity, which is the badge of genius--

Fontanares (aside)
Her smile freezes me to the heart.

Faustine
That gold you speak of--is it already in your possession?

Fontanares
It is here.

Faustine
And would I have let them give that to you, if I thought you would
ever receive it? To-morrow you will find all your creditors standing
between you and the possession of that sum, which you owe to them.
What can you accomplish without gold? Your struggle will begin over
again! But your work, O great, but simple man, has not been dispersed
in fragments; it is all mine; my instrument, Mathieu Magis, has
acquired possession of it. I hold it at my feet, in my palace. I am
the only one who would not rob you either of your glory, or of your
fortune, for what would this be, but to rob myself?

Fontanares
It is you, then, cursed Venetian woman!

Faustine
Yes--since the moment you insulted me, upon this spot, I have directed
everything; it is at my bidding that Magis, and Sarpi, and your
creditors, and the landlord of the Golden Sun, and the workmen have
acted! But ah! How great a love underlay this simulated hatred. Tell
me, have you never be