Avaloros (to Sarpi) You are rousing his suspicions, for he is an honest lad. (To Quinola) Come my good fellow, have you any idea of what is meant by wealth? Quinola No, for I have seen it from too great a distance. Avaloros Say, such a sum as two thousand golden doubloons? Quinola What? I do not know what you mean! You dazzle me. Is there such a sum? Two thousand doubloons! That means to be a land-holder, to own a house, a servant, a horse, a wife, an income; to be protected instead of being chased by the Holy Brotherhood!--What must I do to gain it? Avaloros You must assist me in obtaining a contract for the mutual advantage of your master and myself. Quinola I understand! To tangle him up. O my conscience, that is very fine! But, dear conscience, be silent for a while; let me forget you for a few days, and we will live comfortably together for the rest of my life. Avaloros (to Sarpi) We have him. Sarpi (to Avaloros) He is fooling us! If he were in earnest he would not talk thus. Quinola I suppose you won't give me the two thousand doubloons in gold until after the treaty has been signed. Sarpi (with eagerness) You can have it before. Quinola You don't mean it! (Holding out his hand) Give it me then. Avaloros As soon as you sign notes of hand for the amounts which have already matured. Quinola The Grand Turk himself never offered the bowstring with greater delicacy. Sarpi Has your master got his ship? Quinola Valladolid is at some distance from this, I admit; but we control in that city a pen which has the power of decreeing your disgrace. Sarpi I will grind you to powder. Quinola I will make myself so small that you can't do it. Avaloros Ah! you scoundrel, what do you propose to do? Quinola To talk to you about the gold. SCENE FOURTH The same persons, Faustine and Paquita. Paquita Gentlemen, here is the senora. (Exit.) SCENE FIFTH The same persons, with the exception of Paquita. Quinola (approaching the Brancadori) Senora, my master talks of killing himself unless he can obtain the ship which Count Sarpi has refused for thirty days to give him; Senor Avaloros asks for his life while offering him his purse; do you understand? (Aside) A woman was our salvation at Valladolid; the women shall be our salvation at Barcelona. (Aloud) He is very despondent. Avaloros The wretched man seems daring enough. Quinola Daring without money is naturally amazing to you. Sarpi (to Quinola) Will you enter my service? Quinola I am too set in my ways to take a master. Faustine (aside) He is despondent! (Aloud) Why is it that men like you, Sarpi and Avaloros, for whom I have done so much, should persecute, instead of protecting, the poor man of genius who has so lately arrived among us? (Avaloros and Sarpi are confused.) I cry shame upon you! (To Quinola) You must explain to me exactly their schemes against your master.