not. I spoke but of it's import. Ped. Marry, what should it be but just to bid Young Mistress Inez home without delay? Rod. Exactly; and canst divine the motive? Ped. Faith! Perhaps the charges of the convent Have grown too costly for the miser's purse, Or 't may be having stayed there her full time, She now returns unto her father's hall. Rod. Not altogether that, for I well know Don Silvio would fain have kept her longer. Hark, Pedro! thou know'st that I've always been A faithful follower of this ancient house, And no time-server as some others are. Ped. (Aside.) Humph! That's meant for me. Time-server, forsooth! Rod. Ill would 't become a faithful old retainer Not to take interest in her lord's affairs, So with this sense of duty upmost, aye, And marking something most unusual In these frequent visits of Don Diego, Then hearing once his voice in angry tones, 412And that of our poor master, trembling, meek, I naturally bent my ear until It level stood with the chamber's keyhole. Ped. Naturally, Donna Rodriguez. Well? Rod. Ha! Now you take more interest in my tale. Well, then I heard the whining piteous tones Of our old master's voice in broken sobs. "Think of her tender age, and your own years. Can this disparity between you both, This forced consent on her part, bring to her Ought but unhappiness? Prithee, reflect. Think of a father's feelings, and forbear." "Think of your debts, old man, and of your past," Now said a sterner voice; "and if you fail To have your daughter all in readiness The next time that I call, so the wedding May be solemnised within my private chapel At whatsoever hour I please, hark ye! I'll sell your ruined castle o'er your head, Drive you houseless into the open air To beg your bread; by force abduct your daughter, And—— Ped. Did he say that? Rod. Ay, he did, indeed. Rod. Ped. Rod. Ped. Rod. Something must have angered him. Ped. Rod. 409
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