Faustine
Whose?
Fontanares
Marie's!
Faustine
What! Did that child have skill to protect you? Did she divine the
person and presence of her rival? And was she, who had suffered you to
be overcome, worthy of possessing you for her own--she--the child who
has permitted herself to be drawn, step by step, to the altar where at
this moment she bestows herself upon another? If it had been I, ere
this I should have lain dead at your feet! And on whom has she
bestowed herself? On your deadliest enemy, who had accepted the
command to secure the shipwreck of your hopes.
Fontanares
How could I be false to that inextinguishable love, which has thrice
come to my succor, which has eventually saved me, which, having no
sacrifice but itself to offer on the altar of misfortune, accomplishes
the immolation with one hand, and, with the other, offers to me in
this (he shows the letter) the restoration of my honor, the esteem of
my king, the admiration of the universe.
(Enter Paquita, who makes a sign to Faustine, then goes out.)
Faustine (aside)
Ah! Sarpi has now his countess. (To Fontanares) Your life, your glory,
your fortune, your honor, are at last in my hands alone! Marie no
longer stands between us!
Fontanares
Us! Us!
Faustine
Contradict me not, Alfonso! I have conquered all that is yours; do not
refuse me your heart! You will never gain a love more devoted, more
submissive, more full of sympathy than mine; for at last you shall
become the great man that you deserve to be.
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