me. Rod. Here is the letter; you had best be off. Stay, Pedro. Did master look so savage? Ped. Even so. Rod. Something must have angered him. Prithee, good Pedro, hast thou not of late Noted a change in poor Don Silvio? Ped. Faith, I cannot tell. Since I have known him He hath been always the same moody man. Rod. But has he not of late seemed more estranged, More dull, more gloomy, just as if there were Something of unusual import that Were hanging o'er him? 409 Ped. In truth I know not. Rod. He sees no company. Ped. That's nothing new. Rod. I mean—save that of that old haughty Don, Old Don Diego from the neighbouring castle, Who ne'er vouchsafes me word, but when he comes Passes me by as the veriest slut, With not so much as "Good-day, Rodriguez," But asks me sternly if my master's in. His visits have been frequent here of late. What think'st thou is the meaning of all this? Ped. In faith, I know not, and do not much care. Rod. Ha! thou carest not? Come now, good Pedro, Wilt thou that I confide a secret to thee? Ped. A secret that shall increase my wages, Take more work off my shoulders? Then declare 't; If it be ought else, then keep your secret. I am tired of ever being the slave and drudge Of my old master for such paltry pay. I've served here now some twenty years and more. But matters were not always thus. I've seen The castle walls look handsomer in my day. In Lady Dorothea's time I never Had to wait for my wages, and my suit 410Was always clean and new. Then were there more Servants in the castle who took near all The work off my hands. Now that they're dismissed The burden of the household falls on me, And the wages, 'stead of waxing more, I have to wait for. I know not how long 'tis I have not seen the colour of his gold. Why, the castle's gone to rack and ruin. I am ashamed to meet my former friends, The well-fed menials of Don Diego's hall, When they with grave and supercilious smile Do thus accost me, "Ha! good man, Pedro, How fares it with thee and thy poor master? Thy suit, methinks, grows musty, like his castle, And, to speak truth, I once have seen thee fatter." Then straight they talk about their master's bounty. "Look how we fare," say they; "an I were thou I'd strike for higher wages or else leave." And all these taunts I have to bear—for what? Rod. Well, well, I fare but as yourself; but hark— Something's astir within the castle. Ped. (Turning round timidly.) Where? Rod. Bah! I mean something's about to happen In this old hall, an I do not mistake. A change. 411 Ped. For the better? Out with it, Rodriguez. Be quick, for with this note I must away. [Going. Rod. Just so; the letter. What think'st thou there's in 't? Ped. I never play the spy. Money, think you? [Holding it up to the light. Rod. I trow
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