Quinola Monipodio, please to remember that men like us must not be astonished at anything. Leave that to smaller people. The king has given us the ship, but without a doubloon to go and get her. We arrived here, therefore, with those two faithful companions of genius, hunger and thirst. A poor man who discovers a valuable idea has always seemed to me like a crumb of bread in a fish-pond; every fish takes a bite at him. We are likely to reach the goal of glory naked and dying. Monipodio You are probably right. Quinola One morning at Valladolid, my master was within an ace of divulging his secret to a philosopher who knew nothing of it. I warrant you, I showed that gentleman the door, with a dose of cudgel given with a good will. Monipodio But how is it possible for us to gain a fortune honestly? Quinola My master is in love. Now love forces a man to do as many foolish things as wise things. We two have first of all to protect our protector. My master is a philosopher who cannot keep accounts-- Monipodio Oh! my dear fellow, in choosing a master, you ought to have selected one-- Quinola Devotion and address count more with him than money; for money and favor to him are mere snares. I know him well; he will either give us or permit us to take enough to end our days in respectability. Monipodio Ah! that is what I have dreamed of. Quinola We must then use all our talents, which have been so far wasted, in carrying out this grand enterprise. We should have had a great deal of misfortune if the devil had not favored us. Monipodio It will be almost worth while to make a journey to Compostello. I have the smuggler's faith, and I love wine. Quinola Are you not still in touch with the coiners of false money, and the skeleton key-makers? Monipodio Yes--but for the good of the country-- Quinola Well, that's the trick! As my master constructs his machine, I shall take possession of the models of each part and we will make a duplicate-- Monipodio Quinola! Quinola What now? (Paquita shows herself on the balcony.) Monipodio You are the greatest of men! Quinola I know it. Make a discovery, and you will die persecuted as a criminal; make a copy, and you will live happy as a fool! And on the other hand, if Fontanares should die, why should not I save his invention for the good of humanity? Monipodio Especially, since we ourselves are humanity, as an old author says. Let me embrace you. SCENE SECOND The same persons and Paquita. Quinola (aside) Next to an honest dupe, I know nothing better than the self-deluding rascal. Paquita (to herself) Two friends embrace each other! They cannot therefore be spies.