SCENE X
Ernest. [Aside.] What is the use of loyalty?
Teodora. And what is the use of innocence?
Ernest. Conscience grows dark.
Teodora. Pity, my God! Pity!
Ernest. Pitiless destiny.
Teodora. Oh, most miserable fate!
Ernest. Poor child!
Teodora. Poor Ernest! [Both remain apart until now.]
D. Severo. [In anguish from within.] My brother.
Mercedes. Help!
Pepito. Quickly. [Ernest and Teodora move together.]
Teodora. They are crying.
Ernest. He is dying.
Teodora. Come at once.
Ernest. Where?
Teodora. To him.
Ernest. We cannot. [Detains her.]
Teodora. Why not? I want him to live.
Ernest. And I!—but I cannot. [Points to Don Julian's room.]
Teodora. Then I will. [Rushes to the door.]
LAST SCENE
Teodora, Ernest, Don Severo and Pepito. Ernest stands on the right in the middle of the stage, Teodora near the door of Don Julian's room. Pepito and, behind him, Don Severo, bar the way.
Pepito. Where are you going?
Teodora. [In desperation.] I must see him.
Pepito. It is impossible.
D. Severo. She cannot pass. This woman must not remain in my house—turn her out at once. [To Pepito.] No compassion—this very moment.
Ernest. What!
Teodora. My mind is wandering.
D. Severo. Though your mother should stand in front of that woman, Pepito, you have my orders. Obey them. Never mind her prayers or supplications. If she should cry—then let her cry. [With concentrated fury.] Away with her, away—else I might kill her.
Teodora. Julian orders——
D. Severo. Yes, Julian.
Ernest. Her husband! It cannot be.
Teodora. I must see him.
D. Severo. Very well. Look at him, once more—and then—depart.
Pepito. [Interfering.] Father——
D. Severo. [Pushing him away.] Stop, sir.
Teodora. It can't be true.
Pepito. This is too horrible.
Teodora. It is a lie.
D. Severo. Come, Teodora—come and see. [Seizes her arm and leads her to the door.]
Teodora. Oh! My husband! Julian—dead. [Staggers shudderingly back, and falls half senseless.]
Ernest. [Covering his face.] My father! [Pause. Don Severo watches them rancorously.]
D. Severo. [To his son.] Turn her out.
Ernest. [Placing himself before Teodora.] What cruelty!
Pepito. [Doubting.] Sir——
Severo. [To Pepito.] Such are my orders. Do you doubt my word?
Ernest. Pity.
D. Severo. [Pointing to the death-chamber.] Yes, such pity as she showed him.
Ernest. Fire races through my veins. I will leave Spain, sir.
D. Severo. It makes no difference.
Ernest. She will die.
D. Severo. Life is short.
Ernest. For the last time——
D. Severo. No more. [To his son.] Ring.
Ernest. But I tell you she is innocent. I swear it.
Pepito. [Interceding.] Father——
D. Severo. [With a contemptuous gesture.] That fellow lies.
Ernest. You impel me with the current. Then I will not struggle against it. I go with it. I cannot yet know what may be her opinion [pointing to Teodora] of others, and of your outrages. Her lips are silent, mute her thoughts. But what I think of it all—yes, I will tell you.
D. Severo. It is useless. It won't prevent me from—— [Approaches Teodora.]
Pepito. [Restraining him.] Father——
Ernest. Stay. [Pause.] Let nobody touch this woman. She is mine. The world has so desired it, and its decision I accept. It has driven her to my arms. Come, Teodora. [He raises her, and sustains her.] You cast her forth from here. We obey you.
D. Severo. At last, you blackguard!
Ernest. Yes; now you are right. I will confess now. Do you want passion? Then passion and delirium. Do you want love? Then love—boundless love. Do you want more? Then more and more. Nothing daunts me. Yours the invention, I give it shelter. So you may tell the tale. It echoes through all this heroic town. But should any one ask you who was the infamous intermediary in this infamy, you will reply 'ourselves, without being aware of it, and with us the stupid chatter of busybodies.' Come, Teodora; my mother's spirit kisses your pure brow. Adieu, all. She belongs to me, and let heaven choose its day to judge between you and me. [Gathers Teodora into his embrace, with a glance of defiance around.]