_Ant._ (_looking up_). How the devil did he get there, if not by the help of the devil! For it was not by the help of the door, I'll swear. To-morrow I'll confess--that's certain. [_Exit Antonio._ _Scene III._ _Moonlight.--A garden belonging to the house of Donna Inez.--A balcony looking into the garden.--Donna Isidora and Nina discovered on balcony._ _Isid._ He comes not yet. _Nina._ Senora, 'tis not time. _Isid._ 'Tis more than time; I heard the convent bell Strike long ago. _Nina._ 'Twas not the hour of night, but the sad toll Announcing some high obsequy. _Isid._ Yet, still, 'tis time he came. _Nina._ And here he would have been, but you forget You chided him for venturing so early. Your aunt had not retired when last he came. _Isid._ He does not wish to come,--I will not see him. Tell him my resolution. [_Exit, petulantly, Nina following._ _Enter Gaspar, in the dress of a cavalier._ I overheard her vented thoughts, poor girl! She counts the minutes by her throbbing heart, And that beats time too fast. Now will she hang her head, and weep awhile. Like flow'rets waiting for the morning sun, That raise their mournful heads at his approach, And every dew-drop, like a diamond, glistens, While they exhale sweet perfume in their joy,-- So at our meeting, smiling through her tears, Will she appear more fresh and beautiful! [_Re-enter Isidora and Nina. As they appear, Gaspar retires._ _Isid._ The moon's so bright, that faintly you discover The little stars which stud th' unclouded heav'n; The wind but scarcely moves the trembling aspen, And not a sound breaks through the still of night. All Nature's hush'd; and every passion lull'd, Save love, or fierce revenge. Is this a night To stay away, false, yet loved Don Gaspar? _Nina._ Be patient, lady, he will soon be here. _Isid._ He cannot sure be false. Perchance some danger hangs upon his steps; Men are so envious of the fair and good. _Nina_ (_looking_). Senora, look; I see him in the distance. _Isid._ He comes! Where, Nina? O yes! that is he. Well, now, I'll tease him. Nina, quickly in; I vow I will not show myself this night. [_Exit Isidora._ _Nina._ I wish I had ten ducats on the hazard. [_Exit Nina._ [_Gaspar sings to his guitar without._ _Song (mournful strain)._ "The mocking moon doth coldly fling Her rays upon my breast of flame, And echo mocks me as I sing. O my guitar! to thee what shame! She answers not, though thy best string Is loudly hymning forth her name. Isidora! Isidora!" [_Isidora appears at the balcony._ (_A livelier strain._) "No more the moon doth mock me now; Her bright rays glad my breast of flame, And echo, beautiful art thou! O my guitar! to thee no shame! She comes! love throned upon her brow! My strings hymn forth once more her name! Isidora! Isidora!" _Enter Gaspar, who approaches balcony._