Mathieu Magis Ah! senor, you will not do that. That would be theft, a piece of rascality of which a great man is incapable. Fontanares You seize upon my integrity as a weapon by which you would insure the success of monstrous injustice. Mathieu Magis Listen, I wish to have nothing to do with this matter, and if you will come to an understanding with Don Ramon, a most excellent man, I will yield all my rights to him. Fontanares Don Ramon? Quinola Yes, the philosopher whom all Barcelona sets up in opposition to you. Fontanares After all, I have solved the last problem, and glory and fortune will attend the future current of my life. Quinola Your words seem to indicate that there is still a part to be supplied in the machinery. Fontanares A trifle--a matter of some hundred ducats. Mathieu Magis Such a sum could not be raised from all that you have here, if it were sold by authority of government, counting the costs. Quinola Carrion! Will you get out? Mathieu Magis If you humor Don Ramon, he doubtless will be willing to give you the assistance of his credit. (Turns to Quinola) As for you, gallows-bird, if ever you fall into my hands, I will get even with you. (To Fontanares) Good-bye, man of genius. (Exit.) SCENE FIFTH Fontanares and Quinola. Fontanares His words make me shudder. Quinola And me also! The good ideas of a genius are always caught in the webs of such spiders as he. Fontanares Well, if only we can get a hundred ducats more, from that time forth we shall have a golden life filled with the banquets of love. (He takes a drink of water.) Quinola I quite believe you, but confess that blooming hope, that heavenly jade, has led us on pretty deep into the mire. Fontanares Quinola! Quinola I do not complain for myself, I was born to trouble. The question is, how are we to get the hundred ducats. You are in debt to the workmen, to the master locksmith Carpano, to Coppolus the dealer in iron, steel and copper, and to our landlord, who after taking us in, more from fear of Monipodio than from compassion, will end by turning us out of doors; we owe him for nine months' board and lodging. Fontanares But the work is all but finished. Quinola But what of the hundred ducats? Fontanares How is it that you, usually so brave and merry, begin now to speak to me in such a dolorous tone? Quinola It is because, as a means of remaining at your side, I shall be obliged to disappear. Fontanares And why? Quinola Why? Pray what are we to do about the sheriff? I have incurred, for you and for myself, trade debts to the amount of a hundred doubloons; and lo! these debts take, to my mind, the figure, face and feet of tipstaves! Fontanares How much unhappiness is comprised in the term _glory_! Quinola Come! Do not be downcast. Did you not tell me that your grandfather went, some fifty years ago, with Cortez, to Mexico; has he ever been heard of? Fontanares Never.