joy, yet dread to meet my cousin,
Should your maternal hopes be realised!

_Inez._ He is my child. You cannot feel the pangs
Which rack a mother sever'd from her own.

_Isid._ I've often thought how sweet that love must be
Where all is sanction'd, nought is to conceal--
When hand may lock in hand, heart beat with heart,
And the whole world may smile but not upbraid.
Such love a sister towards a brother bears,
And such a mother feels towards her son.
I have no brother--none of kin but you.
Now, dearest mother, for mother you have been
Unto my childhood and now budding youth,
Would that my feebleness could e'er repay
Your years of love. O that I could console you,
And prove me grateful! Heaven ne'er be mine
If these, my sobbing words, be not sincere.

_Inez._ 'Tis well, my child, thou canst console me much:
Let my sad tale but prove to thee a beacon
And I am satisfied. Tell me, my love,
Hast thou no secrets hidden in thy breast?
[_Isidora, still kneeling, covers her face with her hands._]
Hast thou fulfill'd thy oft-repeated promise?

_Isid._ Forgive me, dearest aunt; forgive and pity me!

_Inez._ Last night, my child, I heard the sound of music:
Methought thy name was wafted by the air
With most harmonious utterance.

_Isid._ Forgive me, aunt, but say that you forgive me!
You shall know all.

_Inez._ I do, my Isidora, I forgive thee (_raises her_).
But I must have thy confidence, my child.
Who is this cavalier?

_Isid._ Alas! I know not.

_Inez._ Not know, my Isidora? Hast thou then
Been so unwise as to receive a stranger?

_Isid._ Alas! I have, but too much for my peace.

_Inez._ Thou lov'st him then? [_Isidora throws herself into
the arms of Inez and bursts into tears._]
(_Aside_) The barb has entered deeply. (_Aloud_) Isidora,
Come, come, cheer up, my love,
I mean not to reproach. All may yet be well.

(_Inez kisses Isidora, and they separate._)

Thou say'st he is a stranger?

_Isid._ I only know he calls himself Don Gaspar.
I have indeed been foolish.

_Inez._ Has he ne'er mention'd his condition,
His family or descent?

_Isid._ Never; and when that I would question him,
He answers vaguely. There is some mystery.

_Inez._ With honest love concealment never dwells.
When does he come again?

_Isid._ To-morrow even--and he'll keep his word.

_Inez._ Then will I see him. Fear not, my love,
No trifling cause shall bar thy happiness.
Be he but gentle, e'en of Moorish blood,
And hon