_Lop._ I believe he does, and hasty News too; but if you stay till he brings it hither, I believe it will come but slowly. But here's his Packet; I suppose that will do as well as his Company. [_Gives a Letter._ Don _Ped._ [_Reads to himself._] My dear friend, here's ill News. Don _John._ What's the Matter? Don _Ped._ My poor old Father's dying. Don _John._ I'm mighty sorry for't; 'tis a weighty Stroke I must confess; the Burden of his Estate will almost bear you down. But we must submit to Heaven's good Will. Don _Ped._ You talk, _Alvarada_, like a perfect Stranger to that Tenderness methinks every Son shou'd feel for a good Father: For my part, I've receiv'd such repeated Proofs of an uncommon Affection from mine, that the Loss of a Mistress could scarce touch me nearer. You'll believe me, when you see me leave _Leonora_ a Virgin, till I have seen the good old Man. Don _John._ That will be a Proof, indeed; Heaven's Blessing must needs fall upon so dutiful a Son; but I don't know how its Judgments may deal with so indifferent a Lover. Don _Ped._ O! I shall have Time enough to repair this seeming small Neglect: But before I go, pray a Word or two with you alone. _Lopez_, wait without. [_Exit ~Lop~._] You see, my dearest Friend, I am engag'd with _Leonora_; perhaps I have done wrong; but 'tis gone too far, to talk or think of a Retreat; I shall I go directly from this Place to the Altar, and there seal the eternal Contract. That done, I'll take Post to see my Father, if I can, before he dies. I leave then here a young and beauteous Bride; but that which touches every String of Thought, I fear, I leave her wishing I were _Guzman_. If it be so, no doubt he knows it well; and he that knows he's lov'd by _Leonora_, can let no fair Occasion pass to gain her; my Absence is his Friend, but you are mine, and so the Danger's balanc'd. Into your Hands, my Dear, my faithful _Alvarada_, [_Embracing him._] I put my Honour, I put my Life; for both depend on _Leonora_'s Truth. Observe her Lover, and----neglect not her. You are wise, you are active, you are brave and true. You have all the Qualities that Man shou'd have for such a Trust; and I by consequence have all the Assurance Man can have, you'll, as you ought, discharge it. Don _John._ A very hopeful Business you wou'd have me undertake, keep a Woman honest!--'Sdeath, I'd as soon undertake to keep _Portocarero_ honest. Look you, we are Friends, intimate Friends; you must not be angry if I talk freely. Women are naturally bent to Mischief, and their Actions run in one continued Torrent till they die. But the less a Torrent's check'd, the less Mischief it does; let it alone, perhaps 'twill only kiss the Banks and pass; but stop it, 'tis insatiable.