through perhaps extravagant gallantry
and compliment. I lingered here, oblivious perhaps of--er--beauty, in
the enjoyment of Nature.

Dona Jovita. Is there enough for your Excellency to share with me,
since it must be my rival? See, the fog is clearing away: we shall have
moonlight. (DON JOSE and MORTON seat themselves at table.) Shall we not
let these venerable caballeros enjoy their confidences and experiences
together? (Aside.) Don Jose watches me like a fox, does not intend
to lose sight of me. How shall I show the light three times from the
courtyard roof? I have it! (Takes STARBOTTLE'S arm.) It is too pleasant
to withdraw. There is a view from the courtyard wall your Excellency
should see. Will you accompany me? The ascent is easy.

Starbottle (bowing). I will ascend, although, permit me to say, Dona
Jovita, it would be--er--impossible for me to be nearer--er--heaven,
than--er--at present.

Dona Jovita. FLATTERER! Come, you shall tell me about this sad lady who
died. Ah, Don Culpepero, let me hope all your experiences will not be so
fatal to us!

[Exeunt DONA JOVITA and STARBOTTLE.

Morton (aside). A froward daughter of Baal, and, if I mistake not,
even now concocting mischief for this foolish, indulgent, stiff-necked
father. (Aloud.) Your only daughter, I presume.

Don Jose. My darling, Don Alexandro. Motherless from her infancy. A
little wild, and inclined to gayety, but I hope not seeking for more
than these walls afford. I have checked her but seldom, Don Alexandro,
and then I did not let her see my hand on the rein that held her back. I
do not ask her confidence always: I only want her to know that when the
time comes it can be given to me without fear.

Morton. Umph!

Don Jose (leaning forward confidentially). To show that you have not
intrusted your confidence regarding your wayward son--whom may the
saints return to you!--to unsympathetic or inexperienced ears, I will
impart a secret. A few weeks ago I detected an innocent intimacy between
this foolish girl and a vagabond vaquero in my employ. You understand,
it was on her part romantic, visionary; on his, calculating, shrewd,
self-interested, for he expected to become my heir. I did not lock her
up. I did not tax her with it. I humored it. Today I satisfied the
lover that his investment was not profitable, that a marriage without my
consent entailed the loss of the property, and then left them together.
They parted in tears, think you, Don Alex