_Ant. (looking after him_). More knave than fool!--why, yes, that's true. What a scurvy fellow! No absolution! I shall take the liberty of changing my confessor. So, good sir, I give you your warning. Must not pry either! Does he not pry into my conscience as far as he can? Why, his whole life is a life of prying!--I have no opinion of these monks! They're no better than they should be. The law must take its course--there's the mischief. Let me only contrive to get out of its clutches now, and I'll take my chance for getting out of the devil's hereafter! [_Exit._ _Scene III._ _A Street in Seville._ _Enter Felix and Perez, meeting._ _Felix._ Perez, well met; I hoped to find you. Have you discovered who your rival may be? and what answer have you gained from Donna Serafina to your most urgent pleadings? _Perez._ Confusion light upon her! She hath returned my letter without opening it; and sent a request that I will desist from useless persecution. Beppa, her confidante, I have contrived to parley with; and what with bribes and much entreaty, I have ascertained that this Don Gaspar _is_ the rival who supplants me. _Felix._ I doubt it, Perez--doubt it much. I, too, have gained some information from Sancho, who associates much with one Nina, Isidora's favoured woman. From this source I've learned that this Don Gaspar is her favoured cavalier, and that last night they had a meeting. _Perez._ Yet I am sure my knowledge is correct, and that the Donna Serafina grants him those favours which I consider are but due to me. _Felix._ Why, what a conscientious cavalier is this, who thus monopolises all our beauties! I fain would see him. What is he like? His properties must be wondrous indeed. Where is he to be met? _Perez._ He often passes this way to the Prado. I wish to meet him also, but not in courtesy. Indeed! see, here he comes! [_Enter Don Gaspar and as he would pass by, Perez steps before him. Gaspar moves on one side and Perez again intercepts him._ _Gasp._ Don Perez, at first I imagined this was accident, but now your conduct will admit no such interpretation. Do you dispute my passage? _Perez._ I do--until we have had some little parley. _Gasp._ Then, sir, your parley. Be brief. Indeed, I know not what there is between us that demands it. _Perez._ I believe, Don Gaspar, that you woo a lady. _Gasp._ 'Tis not impossible. _Perez._ You will oblige me if you cease to woo. _Gasp._ Don Perez, I never brook affront. What has already passed demands a deadly meeting. But to reply to your strange request, who is the lady I am commanded not to woo, and upon what grounds? _Perez._ The lady is the Donna Serafina--I grant a fickle, yet a lovely one. You call yourself Don Gaspar. Who is this Don Gaspar that ruffles thus with our nobility? Detail your ancestry and lineage. Of what family are you? Where are your possessions? show me the patent of your descent or else---- _Gasp._ Or else, Don Perez?