A secret: and must speak with me about it! Heav'ns, how I tremble! What can this message mean? I have very little acquaintance with him, what business can he have with me? An important secret 'twas, he said, and that he had just discover'd it. Alas, I have in the world but one, if it be that----I'm lost; an eternal blot must fix upon me. How unfortunate am I, that I have not follow'd the honest counsels of my heart, which have often urg'd me to set my conscience at ease, by rendering to him the estate that is his due, and which by a foul imposture I keep from him. But 'tis now too late; my villainy is out, and I shall not only be forc'd with shame to restore him what is his, but shall be perhaps condemned to make him reparation with my own. O terrible view! _Enter Don ~Felix~._ Don _Fel._ My son to go and marry her, without her father's knowledge? This can never end well. I don't know what to do, he'll conclude I was privy to it, and his power and interest are so great at court, he may with ease contrive my ruin: I tremble at his sending to speak with me----Mercy on me, there he is. [_Aside._ _Alv._ Ah! Shield me, kind heaven! There's Don Felix come: how I am struck with the sight of him! O the torment of a guilty mind! [_Aside._ Don _Fel._ What shall I say to soften him? [_Aside._ _Alv._ How shall I look him in the face? [_Aside._ Don _Fel._ 'Tis impossible he can forgive it. [_Aside._ _Alv._ To be sure he'll expose me to the whole world. [_Aside._ Don _Fel._ I see his countenance change. [_Aside._ _Alv._ With what contempt he looks upon me! [_Aside._ Don _Fel._ I see, Don _Alvarez_, by the disorder of your face, you are but too well inform'd of what brings me here. _Alv._ 'Tis true. Don _Fel._ The news may well surprize you, 'tis what I have been far from apprehending. _Alv._ Wrong, very wrong, indeed. Don _Fel._ This action is certainly to the last point to be condemn'd, and I think nobody should pretend to excuse the guilty. _Alv._ They are not to be excus'd, tho' heaven may have mercy. Don _Fel._ That's what I hope you will consider. _Alv._ We should act as Christians. Don _Fel._ Most certainly. _Alv._ Let mercy then prevail. Don _Fel._ It is indeed of heavenly birth. _Alv._ Generous Don _Felix_! Don _Fel._ Too indulgent _Alvarez_! _Alv._ I thank you on my knee. Don _Fel._ 'Tis I ought to have been there first. [_They kneel._