ALB. Righteous Heavens! how I tremble! Polydore and I have had little acquaintance together; my designs will all be overthrown; this secret is, no doubt, that of which I dread the discovery. They have bribed somebody to betray me; so there is a stain upon my honour which can never be wiped off. My imposture is found out. Oh! how difficult it is to keep the truth concealed for any length of time! How much better would it have been for me and my reputation had I followed the dictates of a well-founded apprehension! Many times and oft have I been tempted to give up to Polydore the wealth I withhold from him, in order to prevent the outcry that will be raised against me when everything shall be known, and so get the whole business quietly settled. But, alas! it is now too late, the opportunity is gone, and this wealth, which wrongfully came into my family, will be lost to them, and sweep away the greatest part of my own property with it. SCENE IV.--ALBERT, POLYDORE. POL. (_Not seeing Albert_). To be married in this fashion, and no one knowing anything about it! I hope it may all end well! I do not know what to think of it; I much fear the great wealth and just anger of the father. But I see him alone. ALB. Oh, Heavens! yonder comes Polydore. POL. I tremble to accost him. ALB. Fear keeps me back. POL. How shall I begin? ALB. What shall I say? POL. He is in a great passion. ALB. He changes colour. POL. I see, Signor Albert, by your looks, that you know already what brings me hither. ALB. Alas! yes. POL. The news, indeed, may well surprise you, and I could scarcely believe what I was told just now. ALB. I ought to blush with shame and confusion. POL. I think such an action deserves great blame, and do not pretend to excuse the guilty. ALB. Heaven is merciful to miserable sinners. POL. You should bear this in mind. ALB. A man ought to behave as a Christian. POL. That is quite right. ALB. Have mercy; for Heaven's sake, have mercy, Signor Polydore. POL. It is for me to implore it of you. ALB. Grant me mercy; I ask it on my bended knees. POL. I ought to be in that attitude rather than you. [Footnote: The two old men are kneeling opposite to one another.] ALB. Pity my misfortune. POL. After such an outrage I am the postulant. ALB. Your goodness is heart-rending. POL. You abash me with so much humility. ALB. Once more, pardon. POL. Alas! I crave it of you. ALB. I am extremely sorry for this business. POL. And I feel it greatly. ALB. I venture to entreat you not to make it public. POL. Alas, Signor Albert, I desire the very same. ALB. Let us preserve my honour. POL. With all my heart. ALB. As for money, you shall determine how much you require. POL. I desire no more than you are willing to give; you shall be the master in all these things, I shall be but too happy if you are so. ALB. Ha! what a God-like man! how very kind he is! POL. How very kind you are yourself, and that after such a misfortune.