The whole drama is full of life and gayety, and has a truth and reality about it rare on any stage. Its opening is both a proof of this and a characteristic specimen of its author’s mode of placing his audience at once, by a decisive movement, in the midst of the scene and the personages he means to represent. Lisardo, the hero, and Riselo, his friend, appear watching the door of a fashionable church in Madrid, at the conclusion of the service, to see a lady with whom Lisardo is in love. They are wearied with waiting, while the crowds pass out, and Riselo at last declares he will wait for his friend’s fancy no longer. At this moment appears Belisa, the lady in question, attended by her aunt, Theodora, who wears an affectedly religious dress and is lecturing her:-- _Theodora._ Show more of gentleness and modesty;-- Of gentleness in walking quietly, Of modesty in looking only down Upon the earth you tread. _Belisa._ ’T is what I do. _Theodora._ What? When you’re looking straight towards that man? _Belisa._ Did you not bid me look upon the earth? And what is he but just a bit of it? _Theodora._ I said the earth whereon you tread, my niece. _Belisa._ But that whereon I tread is hidden quite With my own petticoat and walking-dress. _Theodora._ Words such as these become no well-bred maid. But, by your mother’s blessed memory, I’ll put an end to all your pretty tricks;-- What? You look back at him again? _Belisa._ Who? I? _Theodora._ Yes, you;--and make him secret signs besides. _Belisa._ Not I. ’T is only that you troubled me With teasing questions and perverse replies, So that I stumbled and looked round to see Who would prevent my fall. _Riselo._ (_to Lisardo_). She falls again. Be quick and help her. _Lisardo._ (_to Belisa_). Pardon me, lady, And forgive my glove. _Theodora._ Who ever saw the like? _Belisa._ I thank you, Sir; you saved me from a fall. _Lisardo._ An angel, lady, might have fallen so; Or stars that shine with heaven’s own blessed light. _Theodora._ I, too, can fall; but ’t is upon your trick. Good gentleman, farewell to you! _Lisardo._ Madam, Your servant. (Heaven save us from such spleen!) _Theodora._ A pretty fall you made of it; and now, I hope, You’ll be content, since they assisted you. _Belisa._ And you no less content, since now you have The means to tease me for a week to come. _Theodora._ But why again do you turn back your head?