FROM 'THE GREAT GALEOTO' [In the scenes which are here cited the poison of slander begins to work. Don Severo, uttering the anonymous gossip of the world, has implanted in the mind of his middle-aged brother Don Julian the first suspicion of the honor of his young wife Teodora and the loyalty of his adopted son Ernest. Teodora, who has been warned by Mercedes, Don Severo's wife, overhears the accusing words of her brother-in-law, who is talking with her husband in an inner apartment; and horror-struck, is about to fly from the room.] _Julian_ [_inside_]--Let me go! _Mercedes_ [_inside_]--No, for Heaven's sake! _Julian_--It is they. I will go! _Teodora_ [_to Ernest_]--Go! go! _Severo_ [_to Ernest_]--You shall give me satisfaction for this! _Ernest_--I will not refuse it. _Enter_ Julian, _pale and disordered; wounded and seemingly in a dying condition, supported by_ Mercedes. Don Severo _stations himself at the right_, Teodora _and_ Ernest _remain in the background_. _Julian_--Together! Where are they going?--Stop them! They shun my presence! Traitors! [_He makes a movement as if to rush toward them, but his strength fails him and he totters_.] _Severo_ [_hurrying to his assistance_]--No, no. _Julian_--They deceived me--they lied to me! Wretches! [_While he is speaking, Mercedes and Severo lead him to the arm-chair on the right._] There--look at them--she and Ernest! Why are they together? _Teodora and Ernest_ [_separating_]--No! _Julian_--Why do they not come to me? Teodora! _Teodora_ [_stretching out her arms, but without advancing_]--My Julian! _Julian_--Here, on my heart! [_Teodora runs to Julian and throws herself into his arms. He presses her convulsively to his breast. Pause._] You see!--You see! [_To his brother._] I know that she deceives me! I press her in my arms--I might kill her if I would--and she would deserve it--but I look at her--_I look at her_--and I cannot! _Teodora_--Julian! _Julian_--And he? [_Pointing to Ernest._] _Ernest_--Sir!-- _Julian_--And I loved him! Be silent and come hither. [_Ernest advances._] You see she is still mine. [_Presses her closer._] _Teodora_--Yours--yours! _Julian_--Do not act a part! Do not lie to me! _Mercedes_--For God's sake! [_Trying to calm him._] _Severo_--Julian! _Julian_ [_to both_]--Peace. Be silent. [_To Teodora._] I divined your secret. I know that you love him. [_Teodora and Ernest try to protest, but he will not let them._] Madrid knows it too--all Madrid! _Ernest_--No, father. _Teodora_--No. _Julian_--They would still deny it! When it is patent to all! When I feel it in every fibre of my being, for the fever that consumes me has illuminated my mind with its flame! _Ernest_--All these fancied wrongs are the offspring of a fevered imagination, of delirium! Hear me, sir-- _Julian_--You will lie to me again! _Ernest_--She is innocent! [_Pointing to Teodora._] _Julian_--I do not believe you.