SCENE IV.—_A room in DON LUIS’ Villa.

_Enter LUIS and ALVARO._

_Alv._ Now, sir, that (thanks to Porcia) you have open’d Your arms to me once more, I cannot rest (So favour ever calls for favour) till You tell me what the inward trouble is That mars your outward feature. I was cause Of so much trouble to you, that I dread Lest of this also, which with troubled looks You still keep speaking to yourself apart, Like people in a play.

_Luis._ Alvaro, no. Thank God, this trouble lies not at your door. Let that suffice.

_Alv._ You will not trust me, sir?

_Luis._ Why will you press me? since you must be told, It is about my friend—Don Juan Roca.

_Alv._ Don Juan!

_Luis._ Yes, Don Juan.

_Alv._ What of him? (I’ll drink the cup at once!) (_aside_).

_Luis._ What evil star Made him my friend!

_Alv._ Too true! (_aside_). But what has happen’d?

_Luis._ Why will you know? and should I dare to tell My friend’s dishonour? Well, no more than this— Some wretch—some villain—some accursed—but Be there bad name enough to brand him by, I have not breath for it—nor is it well For you or for myself—has ravisht from him His wife, his Serafina. And I, O God! not able to avenge him!

_Alv._ (_aside_). Does he know all? and knowing whose the crime, Cannot, he says, avenge it on his son? Shall I then tell, and gain at least the grace Of a confession? Hear me, sir.

_Luis._ Nay, nay, I know what you would say, how vain it is To vex myself who cannot help my friend— We neither knowing who the villain is, Nor whither both are fled: heaven! if we did, I should not now be idly moaning here.

_Alv._ All’s safe! (_aside_). Nor I, sir; give me but a clue, (Not only for Don Juan’s sake, but yours,) I’ll track the villain through the world.

_Luis._ Alvaro, Your words are music to me.

_Alv._ Still, my father, I will say what to say you said was vain. Until some clue be found, let not this grief Consume you so.

_Luis._ Such wounds are hard to heal. Yet, quicken’d by your courage, and to show How well I like your counsel—come, Alvaro, I will with you to your hill castle there; That which has been your banishment so long, Shall witness now our reconciliation. We’ll go this evening—now—together.

_Alv._ Good, sir. But pardon me, let me go on before To apprize Belardo of your going thither— And also Serafina! (_apart_).

[_Exit._

_Luis._ Be it so!

_Julia_ (_entering_). My lord, Don Pedro is without, and fain Would speak to you.

_Luis._ Admit him, Julia. The wound re-opens—Serafina’s father! No doubt upon what errand.

_Enter DON PEDRO._

_Ped._ Ah, Don Luis, Your arms! (_They embrace._)

_Luis._ Don Pedro, I must surely thank The cause to which my poor retirement owes This honour.

_Ped._ Yet a thankless cause, Don Luis. These many days I have heard nothing of Don Juan and my daughter; they neither write Themselves, nor any one to whom I write To ask about them answers to the purpose. What may this mean? I have come hither thinking That you, who are the model of all friends, May deal more clearly with me. You may think What I endure from this suspense. In mercy Relieve me from it quickly.

_Luis_ (_aside_). Poor old man; What shall I say? tell his grey hairs at once The ruin of his honour and his love?

_Ped._ You pause, my lord!

_Luis._ And yet I need not wonder, I nothing hear of them if you do not.

_Ped._ And you know nothing of them?

_Enter PORCIA hurriedly._

_Por._ Sir, I hear You are going (are you not?) this evening To the castle, with my brother. But who is this?

_Ped._ Ever your slave, sweet lady.

_Por._ Oh, pardon me, my lord.

_Luis._ Nay, pardon _me_ That I cut short your compliments, Porcia. (This interruption, come so opportune, Shall carry what ill news I have to tell Into the open air at least.) Don Pedro, I am going to the mountain, as she says; You to the city; for some way at least Our roads are one, and I would talk with you About this business without interruption. Will ’t please you come?

_Ped._ Your pleasure’s mine. Adieu, Fair lady.

_Por._ Farewell, sir.

_Luis._ Porcia, you Will follow in the carriage.

[_Exeunt LUIS and PEDRO._

_Por._ And should go More gladly, were my lover there to meet me.

[_Exit._