Monipodio I have been misunderstood, my friend! Hunted by our political enemies. Quinola The judges, magistrates and police. Monipodio It is necessary for a man to have a political party. Quinola I understand you; from being the game you have become the hunter. Monipodio What nonsense! I am always myself. I have merely come to an understanding with the viceroy. When one of my fellows has reached the end of his tether, I say to him: "Get off," and if he doesn't go, ah! I hale him to justice--you understand!--That is not treachery is it? Quinola It is prevision-- Monipodio And, by the bye, you have just come from court. Quinola Listen. (Aside) Here is a man, the very one I want, knows everything in Barcelona. (Aloud) After what you have told me we ought to be friends. Monipodio He who has my secret must be my friend-- Quinola You are as watchful here as if you were jealous. What is it? Come let us moisten our clay and wet our whistle with a bottle in some tavern; it is daybreak-- Monipodio Do you see how this palace is lit up for a feast? Don Fregose is dining and gaming at the house of Senora Faustine Brancadori. Quinola Quite Venetian, Brancadori. 'Tis a rare name! She must be the widow of some patrician. Monipodio She is twenty-two, subtle as musk, and governs the governor, and, let me tell you between ourselves, has already wheedled out of him all that he picked up under Charles V. in the wars of Italy. What comes from the flute-- Quinola The air takes. What is the age of the viceroy? Monipodio He owns up to sixty years. Quinola And yet they speak of first love! I know of nothing so terrible as last love; it strangles a man. I am happy that I have been brought up so far with unsinged wings! I might be a statesman-- Monipodio The old general is still young enough to employ me as a spy upon the Brancadori, while she pays me for her liberty; and--you can understand the joyous life I lead by making no mischief! Quinola Now you want to know all, Old Curiosity, in order to place your thumb upon the throat of opportunity! (Monipodio nods assent.) Is Lothundiaz still alive? Monipodio Yonder is his house, and this palace belongs to him; always grasping more and more property. Quinola I had hoped to find the heiress her own mistress. My master is ruined! Monipodio You bring back a master with you? Quinola One who will bring me mines of gold. Monipodio Could not I enter his service? Quinola I am counting very much upon your co-operation here. Listen, Monipodio; we are going to change the face of the earth. My master has promised the king to make one of his finest vessels move through the water, without sails or oars, in the wind's eyes, more swiftly than the wind itself. Monipodio (examining Quinola as he walks round him) Something has changed my friend.