_Perez._ He confides in none; and hath no intimate; but I am informed he is resistless, and I much suspect, my rival. _Felix._ With the Donna Serafina? _Perez._ Even so; she has changed much of late; and I have discovered that one, who, from report, answers to his description, is highly favoured. _Felix._ But, Perez, did you not tell me you had left her? _Perez._ In faith I had; but when I discovered that another sought her, my passion then returned; and now that she rejects me, I dote upon her more than ever. _Felix._ Perez, when will you be wise? when will you cease to trifle with the sex? _Perez._ Never, I hope: women are my game; and I live but on the chase. Sighs, oaths, and amorous ditties are my ammunition; my guitar is my fowling-piece, and you must acknowledge that I seldom miss my aim. _Felix._ I grant it, Perez, but it's cruel sport, and quite unworthy of a cavalier. How many wounded birds have hid themselves to die! _Perez._ Poor things--why did they not keep out of shot range? It's useless to preach, Felix, I must have my amusement. _Felix._ Be careful, Perez, that it prove not dangerous; there is no honour gained by broken vows, false oaths, and tampering with maidens' hearts. It is a fault in you I would were mended; and our relationship makes me thus free to speak my mind. It is unworthy of you. _Perez._ But sufficing good for women--they are but playthings; and thus far am I renegade, that, with the prophet, I cannot allow them souls. _Felix._ You are incorrigible. Change the discourse, or I shall lose my temper and that opinion of you, which, 'gainst my better sense, I fain would keep. Our subject was Don Gaspar. _Perez._ Yes--and my object is to find out who he is, and, if basely born, to hunt him out of Seville. _Felix._ That there's mystery is evident; but when you hunt, see if such quarry, good Perez, turn not to bay. But new in Seville, I ne'er have encountered this prodigy; if his rank be mere assumption, he must be exposed; yet, Perez, there may be many causes for an incognito. Our Spain is wide and well peopled with those who boast high ancestry. _Perez._ If then so wide, there's room for him elsewhere. But here comes Sancho with intelligence. (_Enter Sancho._) How now, Sancho,--what have you discovered? _San._ (_Affectedly._) I am not quite a fool, Santa Petronila knows that, good sirs,--not quite a fool. I think you are fortunate in your servant. You'll excuse me, but I have seen the person whom you mentioned. _Perez._ Well-- _San._ I have seen him, sir, by Saint Petronila! _Perez._ And spoke to him, I trust. _San._ Yes, sir, and, by the same holy saint! I have spoken to him. _Perez._ To what purpose have you spoken to this Antonio? _San._ To _your_ purpose, sir. _Perez._ What did he tell you? I cry your patience, Felix, but this mule cannot be driven. What did he tell you, sirrah? _San._ You do not know what first I said to _him_,--would you have the answer before the question?