Faustine I see, Lombard, you are very cautious. If you wish to lend your name to promote an important business undertaking-- Mathieu Magis Is it smuggling? Faustine What difference does it make? The question is, what would guarantee your absolute silence? Mathieu Magis High profit. Faustine (aside) This is a rare hunting dog. (Aloud) Very well, I am going to entrust you with a secret of life and death, for I purpose giving up to you a great man to devour. Mathieu Magis My small business feeds on the great passions of life; (aside) where there is a fine woman, there is a fine profit. Curtain to the Second Act. ACT III SCENE FIRST (The stage setting is the interior of a stable. Overhead are piles of hay; along the walls are wheels, tubes, shafts, a long copper chimney, a huge boiler. To the left of the spectator the Madonna is sculptured on a pillar. To the right is a table strewn with paper and mathematical instruments. Above the table hangs on the wall a blackboard covered with figures; by the side of the table is a shelf on which are onions, a water crock and a loaf. To the right of the spectator is a wide door, and to the left, a door opening on the fields. A straw bed lies by the side of the pillar at the feet of the Madonna. It is night-time.) Fontanares and Quinola. (Fontanares, in a black robe girded by a leathern belt, works at his table. Quinola is checking the various parts of the machine.) Quinola Though you wouldn't think it, senor, I also have been in love! Only when I have once understood the woman, I have always bade her good-bye. A full pot and bottle, ah! these never betray, and moreover, you grow fat on them. (He glances at his master.) Pshaw! He doesn't even hear me. There are three more pieces ready for the forge. (He opens the door.) Here is Monipodio! SCENE SECOND The same persons and Monipodio. Quinola The last three pieces have come in. Bring the models and make duplicates of them, as a provision against accident. (Monipodio beckons to Quinola from the passage; two men make their appearance.) Monipodio Carry these away, boys, and not a sound! Vanish like spectres. This is worse than theft. (To Quinola) He is dead and buried in his work. Quinola He suspects nothing as yet. Monipodio Neither they nor any one else suspect us. Each piece is wrapped up like a jewel and hidden in a cellar. But we need thirty ducats. Quinola Zounds! Monipodio Thirty rascals built like those fellows eat as much as sixty ordinary men. Quinola Quinola and Company have failed, and I am a fugitive! Monipodio From protests? Quinola Stupid! They want me bodily. Fortunately, I have two or three suits of old clothes which may serve to deliver Quinola from the clutches of the keenest sleuths, until I can make payment. Monipodio Payment? That is folly.