ANS. Softly! Take care of what you are about to say. You speak before a man to whom all Naples is known, and who can soon see if your story is true. VAL. (_proudly putting on his hat_). I am not the man to fear anything; and if all Naples is known to you, you know who was Don Thomas d'Alburci. ANS. Certainly; I know who he is, and few people know him better than I do. HAR. I care neither for Don Thomas nor Don Martin. (_Seeing two candles burning, he blows one out_.) ANS. Have patience and let him speak; we shall soon know what he has to say of him. VAL. That it is to him that I owe my birth. ANS. To him? VAL. Yes. ANS. Nonsense; you are laughing. Try and make out a more likely story, and don't pretend to shelter yourself under such a piece of imposture. VAL. Consider your words better before you speak; it is no imposture, and I say nothing here that I cannot prove. ANS. What! You dare to call yourself the son of Don Thomas d'Alburci? VAL. Yes, I dare to do so; and I am ready to maintain the truth against anyone, who ever he may be. ANS. This audacity is marvellous. Learn to your confusion that it is now at least sixteen years ago since the man of whom you speak died in a shipwreck at sea with his wife and children, when he was trying to save their lives from the cruel persecutions which accompanied the troubles at Naples, and which caused the banishment of several noble families. VAL. Yes; but learn to your confusion that his son, seven years of age, was, with a servant, saved from the wreck by a Spanish vessel, and that this son is he who now speaks to you. Learn that the captain of that ship, touched with compassion at my misfortune, loved me; that he had me brought up as his own son, and that the profession of arms has been my occupation ever since I was fit for it; that lately I heard that my father is not dead, as I thought he was; that, passing this way to go and find him out, an accident, arranged by heaven, brought to my sight the charming Élise; that the sight of her made me a slave to her beauty, and that the violence of my love and the harshness of her father made me take the resolution to come into his house disguised as a servant, and to send some one else to look after my parents. ANS. But what other proofs have you besides your own words that all this is not a fable based by you upon truth. VAL. What proofs? The captain of the Spanish vessel; a ruby seal which belonged to my father; an agate bracelet which my mother put upon my arm; and old Pedro, that servant who was saved with me from the wreck. MAR. Alas! I can answer here for what you have said; that you do not deceive us; and all you say clearly tells me that you are my brother. VAL. You my sister!