Sarpi I represent the viceroy of Catalonia, senor, and I have a right to your respectful treatment. (To Don Ramon) Are you satisfied with him? Don Ramon If he takes my advice, we are sure of success. Sarpi The viceroy has great hopes from your learned co-operation. Fontanares Surely I am dreaming! Is it possible they are raising up a rival to me? Sarpi No! senor; but a guide who is able to save you from failure. Fontanares Who told you I needed one? Marie O Alfonso! But suppose that Don Ramon could insure your success? Fontanares Ah! Even she has lost confidence in me! Marie They say he is so learned! Lothundiaz Presumptuous man! He thinks that he knows more than all the learned in the world. Sarpi I was induced to come here on account of a question which has been raised and has filled the viceroy with anxiety; you have had in your possession for nearly ten months a ship belonging to the state, and you must now render an account of the loan. Fontanares The king fixed no term for the time of my experiments. Sarpi The administration of Catalonia has the right to demand an account, and we have received a decree of the ministers to this effect. (Fontanares appears thunderstruck.) Oh! you can take your time; we do not wish to embarrass a man like you. Nor are we inclined to think that you wish to elude the stipulation with regard to your life by keeping the ship for an indefinite period. Marie His life? Fontanares Yes, I am staking my life in these experiments. Marie And yet, you refuse my help? Fontanares In three months, Count Sarpi, I shall have completed, without the counsel of another, the work I am engaged upon. You will then see one of the greatest spectacles that a man can produce for his age to witness. Sarpi Here, then, is a bond to that effect; sign it. (Fontanares signs it.) Marie Farewell, my friend! If you are vanquished in this struggle I believe that I shall love you more than ever! Lothundiaz Come, my daughter; the man is mad. Don Ramon Young man! be sure to read my treatises. Sarpi Farewell, future grandee of Spain. (Exeunt all except Fontanares.) SCENE SIXTEENTH Fontanares (alone in the front of the stage) While Marie is in a convent the sunlight cannot warm me. I am bearing up a world, yet fear I am no Titian. No, I shall never succeed; all is against me. And this work which cost me three years of thought and ten months of toil will never cleave the ocean! But now, I am heavy with sleep. (He lies down on the straw.) SCENE SEVENTEENTH Fontanares (asleep), Quinola and Monipodio (entering by the Postern). Quinola Diamonds! Pearls and gold! We are saved. Monipodio Don't forget. The Brancadori is from Venice. Quinola Then I'd better be getting back there. Send me the landlord; I wish to re-establish our credit. Monipodio He is here. SCENE EIGHTEENTH The same persons and the Landlord of the Golden Sun.