ell it may be sad-- after shutting her daughter up in the
convent where she caught that fatal malady--

_Ben._ Could she foresee that? and why lay all the blame upon the
marchioness? surely the marquis is almost as culpable for consenting
that--

_Te._ By no means, Benedetto, by no means; the marquis only did what
every sensible man ought to do; he obeyed his wife-- but as for the
marchioness-- oh! I have no patience with her!

_Ben._ So it appears, Teresa; and shall I tell you why? because the
marchioness is a woman, and you are a woman too: now I've always
observed that when a female has done wrong, she ever meets with least
indulgence from persons of her own sex; and whenever I want to hear the
foibles of one woman properly cut up, I never fail to ask another woman
what she thinks of them.

_Ser._ (_without_) Benedetto, Benedetto!

_Ben._ Coming, coming! [Exit.

_Te._ Well, there is one thing that seems to me very strange; Benedetto
has certainly an excellent understanding-- and yet he isn't always of my
opinion-- now that appears to me quite unaccountable. (_going_)

Father _Michael_ rushes in out of breath.

_Mi._ Heaven be praised! then I am arrived at last.

_Te._ A friar! your business, father?

_Mi._ Tis with the viceroy; good daughter, lead me to him this instant.

_Te._ This instant? oh, mercy on me, you can't see him tonight, if you'd
give your eyes.

_Mi._ I must, I tell you! I must! my business is of such importance,
that--

Enter _Benedetto_.

_Ben._ Why, Teresa! dawdling here, while the maids--

[Exit Teresa.

_Mi._ Tis the same! how fortunate!-- worthy old man--

_Ben._ Is it you, father? why, you were out, when his excellence went
this evening to--

_Mi._ I was at home-- but the prior's suspicions-- I was a prisoner;
and-- but this is no time for explanation-- lead me to your lord! away.

_Ben._ Impossible, father! all the grandees of Messina-- a banquet,
a ball-- dont you hear the music? but doubtless tomorrow--

_Mi._ Tomorrow will be too late! alas! perhaps it is too late already!
perhaps at this very moment Venoni is no more!

_Ben._ No more. Venoni? follow me, father, follow me this instant--
stay, stay! as I live, here comes his excellence himself.

Enter the _Viceroy_ and _Hortensia_.

_Vice._ Nay, dear Hortensia-- how now? what would you, father?

_Mi._ Pardon my intrusion, noble sir, but my business will not brook
delay-- I am that friar whose