_Elv._ I'll kneel down, father, as if I were taking absolution, if you'll but please to stand before me. _Dom._ At your peril be it then. I have told you the ill consequences; _et liberavi animam meam._ Your reputation is in danger, to say nothing of your soul. Notwithstanding, when the spiritual means have been applied, and fail, in that case the carnal may be used. You are a tender child, you are, and must not be put into despair; your heart is as soft and melting as your hand. [_He strokes her face, takes her by the hand, and gives the letter._ _Gom._ Hold, hold, father, you go beyond your commission; palming is always held foul play amongst gamesters. _Dom._ Thus good intentions are misconstrued by wicked men; you will never be warned till you are excommunicated. _Gom._ Ah, devil on him; there's his hold! If there were no more in excommunication than the church's censure, a wise man would lick his conscience whole with a wet finger; but, if I am excommunicated, I am outlawed, and then there is no calling in my money. [_Aside._ _Elv._ [_Rising._] I have read the note, father, and will send him an answer immediately; for I know his lodgings by his letter. _Dom._ I understand it not, for my part; but I wish your intentions be honest. Remember, that adultery, though it be a silent sin, yet it is a crying sin also. Nevertheless, if you believe absolutely he will die, unless you pity him; to save a man's life is a point of charity; and actions of charity do alleviate, as I may say, and take off from the mortality of the sin. Farewell, daughter.--Gomez, cherish your virtuous wife; and thereupon I give you my benediction. [_Going._ _Gom._ Stay; I'll conduct you to the door,--that I may be sure you steal nothing by the way. Friars wear not their long sleeves for nothing.--Oh, 'tis a Judas Iscariot. [_Exit after the Friar._ _Elv._ This friar is a comfortable man! He will understand nothing of the business, and yet does it all. Pray, wives and virgins, at your time of need, For a true guide, of my good father's breed. [_Exit._ ACT III. SCENE I.--_The Street._ _Enter_ LORENZO _in a Friars Habit, meeting_ DOMINICK. _Lor._ Father Dominick, father Dominick; why in such haste, man? _Dom._ It should seem, a brother of our order. _Lor._ No, faith, I am only your brother in iniquity; my holiness, like yours, is mere outside. _Dom._ What! my noble colonel in metamorphosis! On what occasion are you transformed? _Lor._ Love, almighty love; that, which turned Jupiter into a town-bull, has transformed me into a friar. I have had a letter from Elvira, in answer to that I sent by you. _Dom._ You see I have delivered my message faithfully; I am a friar of honour, where I am engaged. _Lor._ O, I understand your hint; the other fifty pieces are ready to be condemned to charity. _Dom._ But this habit, son! this habit!