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ARGUMENT.

Roderigo-- the natural son of the great Count d' Olivarez, minister to
Philip IV of Spain-- was, upon his father's disgrace, given over when
very young to the care of a certain Don Ambrosio, and by him brought up
as his own child. Ambrosio has one son, Marcel, and two daughters,
Hippolita and Cleonte. Marcel, whilst in Flanders, promised Hippolita to
his friend Alonzo. This Alonzo is the son of a lady Octavia and Don
Manuel. But Manuel's rival in Octavia's love, Alonzo, stole their boy
when an infant and brought him up to arms, giving him his own name.
Pedro, an old servant, who is cognizant of this, is sworn to secrecy.
Alonzo arrives in Madrid purposing to wed Hippolita as he desires to
ally himself with so ancient and powerful a family as Ambrosio's.
Hippolita, however, having been betrayed by a German named Antonio, has
fled, and now resides in a house of pleasure in the town, having assumed
the habit of a Venetian courtezan. Alonzo meeting Euphemia, sister to
his friend Lovis, becomes enamoured of her, and the lady grants him a
rendezvous at a house where they will be uninterrupted-- it happens this
house is the bagnio where Hippolita is secreted. Marcel, on his way to
visit Clarinda, whom he loves, recognizes Alonzo and follows him to his
rendezvous, Olinda, Euphemia's maid, mistakenly introduces Marcel to her
mistress. Euphemia is veiled and Marcel, who has heard that his sister
is living in that house, in his turn mistakes the lady for Hippolita,
more especially as he meets Antonio there. The two men fight, but Alonzo
entering interferes. Antonio escapes, bearing away Hippolita. Euphemia,
whom Marcel in a passion of revenge would kill, is soon discovered not
to be Hippolita, and the angry brother duly retires from the scene.
Alonzo, however, leaving the house is accosted for Marcel by Dormida,
Clarinda's maid, who gives him the key to their house. Alonzo enters
followed by Marcel who is close on his heels. They jostle and fight in
the darkness of the hall within, and Alonzo departs leaving Marcel
wounded. Dormida fearing trouble drags Clarinda forth and meeting Alonzo
in the street they throw themselves on his honourable protection.
A complete stranger, in his dilemma he escorts them to the mansion of
Ambrosio, and they chance on Cleonte's chamber. She has just had a visit
from Silvio (under which name Roderigo passes), who is burning w