GARC. Oh! how double-faced she is! how well she knows to dissimulate! But all means for escape will fail you. Cast your eyes here, and recognize your writing. [Footnote: The lines, "Heavens! what is the meaning of this?" till "and recognize your writing" have been employed again by Molière in the _Misanthrope_, Act iv., Scene 3, (see vol. II). The misanthrope Alceste has also in his hand the written proofs of the faithlessness of the object of his love: but his suspicions are well founded, whilst those of Don Garcia are inspired only by jealousy.] Without having seen the other part of this letter, it is easy enough to discover for whom you employ this style. ELV. And this is the cause of your perturbation of spirits? GARC. Do you not blush on beholding this writing? ELV. Innocence is not accustomed to blush. GARC. Here indeed we see it oppressed. You disown this letter because it is not signed. ELV. Why should I disown it, since I wrote it? [Footnote: The words, "And this is the cause" until "since I wrote it," are, with a few slight alterations, found also in the _Misanthrope_, Act iv., Scene 3.] GARC. It is something that you are frank enough to own your handwriting; but I will warrant that it was a note written to some indifferent person, or at least that the tender sentiments it contains were intended only for some lady friend or relative. ELV. No, I wrote it to a lover, and, what is more, to one greatly beloved. GARC. And can I, O perfidious woman...? ELV. Bridle, unworthy Prince, the excess of your base fury. Although you do not sway my heart, and I am accountable here to none but myself, yet for your sole punishment I will clear myself from the crime of which you so insolently accuse me. You shall be undeceived; do not doubt it. I have my defence at hand. You shall be fully enlightened; my innocence shall appear complete. You yourself shall be the judge in your own cause, and pronounce your own sentence. GARC. I cannot understand such mysterious talk. ELV. You shall soon comprehend it to your cost. Eliza come hither! SCENE VI.--DON GARCIA, DONNA ELVIRA, ELIZA. EL. Madam. ELV. (_to Don Garcia_). At least observe well whether I make use of any artifice to deceive you; whether by a single glance or by any warning gesture I seek to ward off this sudden blow. (_To Eliza_). Answer me quickly, where did you leave the letter I wrote just now? EL. Madam, I confess I am to blame. This letter was by accident left on my table; but I have just been informed that Don Lopez, coming into my apartment, took, as he usually does, the liberty to pry everywhere, and found it. As he was unfolding it, Leonora wished to snatch it from him before he had read anything; and whilst she tried to do this, the letter in dispute was torn in two pieces, with one of which Don Lopez quickly went away, in spite of all she could do. ELV. Have you the other half? EL. Yes; here it is.