sufficiently with him--that is just. The duke took us for foul
assassins; we were simply asking him, at a rather too advantageous
hour, to make us a loan, pledged by our rapiers as collateral. The
famous Majoral, who was in command of us, being close pressed by the
duke, was forced to disable him by a little thrust, of which he knows
the secret.

The Marchioness
O! My God!--

Quinola
Happiness is cheap at such a cost, madame.

The Marchioness (aside)
Hush! He knows my secret.

Quinola
When we saw that the duke had not a maravedi about him, we left him
where he was. As I was the least culpable of all the gang, I was
charged to take him home; in adjusting his pockets, which had been
turned inside out, I found the letter which he had written to you,
and, learning your position at the court, I understood--

The Marchioness
That your fortune was made?

Quinola
Not at all--that my life was in danger.

The Marchioness
Indeed?

Quinola
To whom are you speaking? Quinola or Lavradi?

The Marchioness
Lavradi shall have his pardon. What does Quinola desire? To enter my
service?

Quinola
Foundling children are of gentle birth; Quinola will deliver your
letter to you with asking a maravedi, without obliging you to do
anything unworthy of you, and he expects that you will refrain from
desiring the services of a poor devil who carries under his wallet the
heart of the Cid.

The Marchioness
How dear you are going to cost me, fellow!

Quinola
You said to me just now, "my friend."

The Marchioness
Were you not my enemy?

Quinola
On account of that word I trust you, madame, and intend to tell you
everything. But here--do not laugh--you must promise--I wish--

The Marchioness
You wish?

Quinola
I wish--to speak to the king--at the moment when he passes on his way
to the chapel; I desire you to lend favor to my request.

The Marchioness
But what are you going to ask him?

Quinola
The most simple thing in the world--an audience for my master.

The Marchioness
Explain yourself, for time presses.

Quinola
Madame, I am the servant of a philosopher; and if the mark of genius
is poverty, we have a great deal too much genius, madame.

The Marchioness
To the point.

Quinola
Senor Alfonso Fontanares has come here from Catalonia to offer the
king our master the sceptre of the sea. At Barcelona he was taken for
a madman; here he is considered a sorcerer. When it becomes known what
he proposes, he is sco