artifice to deceive you; whether by a single glance or by any warning
gesture I seek to ward off this sudden blow. (_To Eliza_). Answer me
quickly, where did you leave the letter I wrote just now?

EL. Madam, I confess I am to blame. This letter was by accident left on
my table; but I have just been informed that Don Lopez, coming into my
apartment, took, as he usually does, the liberty to pry everywhere, and
found it. As he was unfolding it, Leonora wished to snatch it from him
before he had read anything; and whilst she tried to do this, the letter
in dispute was torn in two pieces, with one of which Don Lopez quickly
went away, in spite of all she could do.

ELV. Have you the other half?

EL. Yes; here it is.

ELV. Give it to me. (_To Don Garcia_). We shall see who is to blame;
join the two parts together, and then read it aloud. I wish to hear it.

GARC. "_To Don Garcia_." Ha!

ELV. Go on! Are you thunderstruck at the first word?

GARC. (_Reads_). "_Though your rival, Prince, disturbs your mind, you
ought still to fear yourself more than him. It is in your power to
destroy now the greatest obstacle your passion has to encounter. I feel
very grateful to Don Garcia for rescuing me from the hands of my bold
ravishers; his love, his homage delights me much; but his jealousy is
odious to me. Remove, therefore, from your love that foul blemish;
deserve the regards that are bestowed upon it; and when one endeavours