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Page 3
(All look at him.)
Halberdier
From what state?
Quinola (passing in)
From what state? From a state of misery.
The Captain of the Guards
Go and bring the major-domo of the palace, that he may render to this
ambassador the honors that are due him. (To the halberdier) Three
days' imprisonment.
Quinola (to the Captain)
You are a very droll rascal.
Quinola (taking him aside)
Are not you the cousin of the Marchioness of Mondejar?
The Captain
What if I am?
Quinola
Although she is high in favor, she is on the brink of an abyss, into
which she may fall and lose her head in falling.
The Captain
All people of your class trump up these stories!--Listen, you are the
twenty-second person, and we have only reached the tenth of the month,
who has made an attempt to be introduced to the favorite, for the
purpose of squeezing a few pistoles from her. Take yourself off or
else--
Quinola
My lord, it is better to be misled by twenty-two poor devils,
twenty-two times, than once to miss the opportunity of heeding him who
is sent by your good angel; and you see, I may also say (he opens his
mantle) I am wearing her wings.
The Captain
Let us end this, and tell me what proof of your errand you can give?
Quinola (handing him a letter)
This little message you must return to me so that the secret remains
in our possession, and hang me if you do not see the marchioness swoon
when she reads it. Believe moreover that I profess, in common with an
immense majority of Spaniards, a deep-seated aversion for--the
gallows.
The Captain
And suppose that some ambitious woman has paid for your life, that she
give it in exchange for another's?
Quinola
Should I be in rags? My life is as good as Caesar's. Look here, my
lord. (He unseals the letter, smells it, folds it up again, and gives
it to him) Are you satisfied?
The Captain (aside)
I have yet time. (To Quinola) Remain where you are, I am going to her.
SCENE SECOND
Quinola (alone, in the front of the stage, looking at the departing
captain)
That is all right! O my dear master, if the torture chamber has not
broken your bones, you are likely to get out of the cells of the holy
--the thrice holy Inquisition--saved by your poor cur Quinola! Poor?
--why should I say poor? My master once free, we will end by cashing
our hopes. To live at Valladolid for six months without money, and
without being nabbed by the alguazils, argues the possession of
certain small talents, which, if applied to--other ends, might bring a
man to--something different in fact! If we knew where we were going no
one would stir a step--I purpose speaking to the king, I, Quinola. God
of the rapscallions, give me the eloquence--of--a pretty woman, of the
Marchioness of Mondejar--
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