Part 8 (1/2)

_Bep._ Husband, farewell. I trust you'll mend your ways. [_Exit Beppa._

_Ant._ Cursed jealous c.o.c.katrice! Why, Sancho, you are serious.

_San._ Why, yes, a little. I thought you were my friend, but if you are only doing a friendly act for Nina in getting her a husband----

_Ant._ My dear Sancho, I'll explain it all. Nina is virtuous. It was her husband that she kissed, and this alone has made that woman jealous.

_San._ Why should she be jealous of Nina's kissing her own husband?

_Ant._ Because that husband had my livery on; and Beppa swears 'twas I.

When Lopez arrived here he wanted a situation, but his clothes were so shabby, he could not offer himself to any gentleman. I lent him a suit of mine, a very good one too, and yet the wretch had the ingrat.i.tude to quarrel with me, although dressed in my clothes. They are on his body now. When he met his wife he kissed her, and Beppa, who was pa.s.sing by, thought it was I; and this is the whole mystery. You can ask Nina how her husband was dressed when she met him, and her answer will prove the truth of what I say. Only, you must not mention a word of me or of Beppa. I hope you're satisfied.

_San._ Why, yes--it seems the truth.

_Ant._ Well, now, Sancho, let me know how Nina received the news of her husband's death.

_San._ Women are strange creatures! Would you believe it? When I told his death--Saint Petronila, be merciful to me!--although she always disliked him, she cried and sobbed most bitterly; and when I would have consoled her she pushed me--yes, me, Sancho, away! Saint Petronila!

_Ant._ I almost repent of my scheme. I wish it had been Beppa that the fool fancied.

_San._ But this did not last above ten minutes. She then wiped her eyes, and suffered me to kiss her.

_Ant._ So soon--confound her! He shall have her (_aside_).

_San._ O more than that: when she became more tranquil she smiled--hi, hi, hi! by the lips of the holy saint, she did!

_Ant._ (_aside_). The Jezebel! (_Aloud_) But, Sancho, was she quite satisfied with your a.s.sertion of his being killed?

_San._ No; she said she must have more proof, that there might be no mistake; for, as she truly observed, it would be an awkward thing to have two husbands.

_Ant._ (_aside_). It is to have two wives. (_Aloud_) Sancho, proceed.

_San._ I followed your advice, and told her 'twas by my hand that Lopez fell--Saint Petronila pardon me the lie.

_Ant._ What said she then?

_San._ Why, at first, she repulsed; but then remembering that second thoughts as well as second husbands were the best, she dried her eyes, and was content; don't you see how fresh I am with the joy?

_Ant._ (_aside and looking contemptuously on Sancho_). Confound him!

_San._ What say you?

_Ant._ That you're a happy man. Did you press her hard to marry you at once, as I advised you?

_San._ I did, and at last she promised, as soon as she had seen her husband dead, to marry me immediately.

_Ant._ Now, Sancho, I will be your friend. Of course I must not appear in this, nor must my name be mentioned. But if to-morrow at dusk will suit you, I'll drag his body from the place where I concealed it, and lay it in the path which leads to the summer house--you know where I mean, just where the row of tall chestnut trees----

_San._ I know exactly. Thank you, Antonio. She said to-morrow night she thought she would be able to come out. I'll go to her immediately, and make the appointment. Saint Petronila, smile on my joys of wedlock!

[_Exit Sancho._

_Ant._ How I hate women!... If that fool had mentioned the name of Lopez, the crafty Beppa would have discovered the whole affair. What with keeping my own secrets, and finding out those of my master, I have enough to do. So far the former has been well managed, now for the latter. [_Exit into house._

_Scene V._