Chapter 4

Faustine and Mathieu Magis.

Mathieu Magis I am told the senora has need of my poor services.

Faustine Pray tell me, who are you?

Mathieu Magis Mathieu Magis, a poor Lombard of Milan, at your service.

Faustine You lend money?

Mathieu Magis I lend it on good security--diamonds or gold--a very poor business. Our losses are overwhelming, senora. And at present money seems actually to be asleep. The raising of maravedis is the hardest of farm-labor. One unfortunate deal carries off the profits of ten lucky strokes, for we risk a thousand doubloons in the hands of a prodigal for three hundred doubloons profit. The world is very unjust to us.

Faustine Are you a Jew?

Mathieu Magis In what sense do you mean?

Faustine In religion.

Mathieu Magis I am a Lombard and a Catholic, senora.

Faustine You disappoint me.

Mathieu Magis Senora would have wished--

Faustine I would have wished that you were in the clutches of the Inquisition.

Mathieu Magis Why so?

Faustine That I might be certain of your fidelity.

Mathieu Magis I keep many secrets in my strong box, senora.

Faustine If I had your fortune in my power--

Mathieu Magis You would have my soul.

Faustine (aside) The only way to gain this man's adherence is by appealing to his self-interest, that is plain. (Aloud) You lend--

Mathieu Magis At twenty per cent.

Faustine You don't understand what I mean. Listen; you are lending the use of your name to Senor Avaloros.

Mathieu Magis I know Senor Avaloros. He is a banker; we do some business together, but his name in the city stands too high and his credit in the Mediterranean is too sound for him to need the help of poor Mathieu Magis--

Faustine I see, Lombard, you are very cautious. If you wish to lend your name to promote an important business undertaking--

Mathieu Magis Is it smuggling?

Faustine What difference does it make? The question is, what would guarantee your absolute silence?

Mathieu Magis High profit.

Faustine (aside) This is a rare hunting dog. (Aloud) Very well, I am going to entrust you with a secret of life and death, for I purpose giving up to you a great man to devour.

Mathieu Magis My small business feeds on the great passions of life; (aside) where there is a fine woman, there is a fine profit.

Curtain to the Second Act.