Sheriff's Officer This is the last lot, gentlemen. Going, going--no further bid? Gone! It is knocked down to Senor Mathieu Magis for ten ducats, six maravedis. Lothundiaz (to Don Ramon) What do you think of that? Thus ends the sublime invention of our great man! He was right, by heaven, when he promised us a rare spectacle! Coppolus You can laugh; he does not owe you anything. Esteban It is we poor devils who have to pay for his folly. Lothundiaz Did you get nothing, Master Coppolus? And what of my daughter's diamonds, which the great man's servant put into the machine? Mathieu Magis Why, they were seized in my house. Lothundiaz And are not the thieves in the hand of justice? I would like best of all to see Quinola, that cursed pilferer of jewels, in durance. Quinola (aside) Oh, my young life, what lessons are you receiving! My antecedents have ruined me. Lothundiaz But if they catch him, his goose will soon be cooked, and I shall have the pleasure of seeing him dangling from the gallows, and giving the benediction with his feet. Fontanares (to Quinola) Our calamity stirs this dullard's wit. Quinola You mean his brutality. Don Ramon I sincerely regret this disaster. This young artisan had at last listened to my advice, and we were on the point of realizing the promises made by him to the king; but he blindly forfeited his opportunity; I mean to ask pardon for him at the court, for I shall tell the king how useful he will be to me. Coppolus Here is an example of generosity extremely rare in the conduct of one learned man towards another. Lothundiaz You are an honor to Catalonia! Fontanares (coming forward) I have endured with tranquillity the agony of seeing a piece of workmanship, which entitles me to eternal glory, sold as so much old junk--(murmurs among the people). But this passes all endurance. Don Ramon, if you have, I do not say understood, but even guessed, at the use of all these fragments of machinery, displaced and scattered as they are, you ought to have bought them even at the sacrifice of your whole fortune. Don Ramon Young man, I respect your misfortunes; but you know that your apparatus could not possibly go, and that my experience had become necessary to you. Fontanares The most terrible among all the horrors of destitution is that it gives ground for calumny and the triumph of fools! Lothundiaz Is it not disgraceful for a man in your position thus to undertake to insult a philosopher whose reputation is established? Where would I be if I had given you my daughter? You would have led me a fine dance down to beggary; for you have already wasted, for absolutely no purpose, ten thousand sequins! Really this grandee of Spain seems particularly small in his grandeur to-day. Fontanares You make me pity you. Lothundiaz That is possible, but you do not make me envy you; your life is at the mercy of the tribunal. Don Ramon Let him alone; don't you see that he is crazy?