ith
passion for her but shrinks from his supposed sister. Cleonte offers the
two ladies a refuge and Alonzo retires. With the aid of his friend Lovis
he assumes the habit of Haunce van Ezel, a Dutch boor who is contracted
to Euphemia, and, as Haunce, courts Lovis' sister with the full
approbation of their father Don Carlo. When Haunce himself appears he is
greeted with some familiarity as having been at the house before. The
Dutch Lover, who has newly arrived, chances on a strife between Antonio
and Hippolita and interfering disarms Antonio, wounding him in the face.
Cleonte meantime has introduced her guest Clarinda to Silvio, and Marcel
seeing them together concludes that his own brother is the man who
fought him on the previous night and indeed his favoured rival. At once
he challenges him and they arrange to have a duel in a grove near the
town. Here, however, comes Hippolita disguised in man's attire, awaiting
Antonio to whom she has sent a billet signed 'Alonzo'. She retires,
whilst Silvio appears, and when he is engaged with Marcel, Alonzo rushes
in and parts them. Alonzo avows that it was he who caused the confusion
with Clarinda, and arranges to meet Marcel later in another spot.
Antonio next arrives and Hippolita, calling herself Alonzo, draws, but
Alonzo himself insists on taking up the quarrel. At the clash of steel
Marcel returns and all four fight, Marcel with Hippolita, whom he
wounds, Alonzo with Antonio, whom he disarms-- Hippolita reveals
herself, Alonzo claims her, but Antonio declaring that he is bound to
her by sacred vows rescues her from Marcel's vengeance and obtains his
forgiveness. All return to Ambrosio's house where they find Cleonte and
Clarinda. Explanations ensue, and Marcel is at Clarinda's feet. Pedro,
however, who attends Alonzo, recognizes his old fellow-servant, Dormida,
duenna to Clarinda, and learning Don Manuel is dead, reveals that Alonzo
is Clarinda's brother, also handing over papers left by Don Alonzo the
foster-father, which bestow 12,000 crowns a year on his adopted son,
Alonzo portions Clarinda and gives her to Marcel. Francisca, woman to
Cleonte, informs Silvio that Cleonte will yield to him-- Silvio,
suddenly revolted, declares he will present himself, but secretly
resolves to poinard his sister. Marcel who has overheard the conference,
beside himself with rage, dashes on Silvio with dagger drawn and when
checked by Ambrosio and the rest who rush in at Francisca's cries make