esitating, and looking toward
L.) Poor girl! How she must hate me! I might just say a word, one word
to thank her for her kindness to Johnny,--only one word, and then go
away. I--I--can keep from liquor. I swore I would to Jack, that night
I saw the old man--drunk,--and I have. But--I can't keep--from--her!
No--damn it! (Going toward L.) No!--I'll go! [Exit L.

Enter hurriedly and excitedly JOVITA, R., followed by MANUELA.

Jovita. Where is she? Where is HE?--the traitor!

Manuela (entreatingly). Compose yourself, Dona Jovita, for the love
of God! This is madness: believe me, there is some mistake. It is some
trick of an enemy,--of that ingrate, that coyote, Concho, who hates the
Don Alexandro.

Jovita. A trick! Call you this a trick? Look at this paper, put into my
hands by my father a moment ago. Read it. Ah! listen. (Reads.) "In view
of the EVIDENT PREFERENCES of my son, Alexander Morton, I hereby revoke
my consent to his marriage with the Dona Jovita Castro, and accord him
full permission to woo and win his cousin, Miss Mary Morris!" Call you
this a trick, eh? No, it is their perfidy! This is why SHE was brought
here on the eve of my betrothal. This accounts for his silence, his
absence. Oh, I shall go mad!

Manuela. Compose yourself, miss. If I am not deceived, there is one here
who will aid us,--who will expose this deceit. Listen: an hour ago, as
I passed through the hall, I saw Diego, our old Diego,--your friend and
confidant, Diego.

Jovita. The drunkard--the faithless Diego!

Manuela. Never, Miss Jovita; not drunken! For, as he passed before me,
he was as straight, as upright, as fine as your lover. Come, miss, we
will seek him.

Jovita. Never! He, too, is a traitor.

Manuela. Believe me, no! Come, Miss Jovita. (Looking toward L.) See, he
is there. Some one is with him.

Jovita (looking). You are right; and it is she--SHE, Miss Mary! What? he
is kissing her hand! and she--SHE, the double traitress--drops her head
upon his shoulder! Oh, this is infamy!

Manuela. Hush! Some one is coming. The guests are arriving. They must
not see you thus. This way, Miss Jovita,--this way. After a little,
a little, the mystery will be explained. (Taking JOVITA'S hand, and
leading her R.)

Jovita (going). And this was the correct schoolmistress, the preceptress
and example of all the virtues! ha! (laughing hysterically) ha!

[Exeunt JOVITA and MANUELA.

SCENE 6.--The same. Enter SERVANT; opens folding doors C