You are already in the secrets of the viceroy, you have the confidence
of the Brancadori lady. That is a good beginning! Work a miracle and
give us some clothes first of all, and if we two, taking counsel with
a flask of liquor, do not discover some way by which my master and
Marie Lothundiaz may meet, I will not answer for the consequences. For
the last two days his constant talk has been of her, and I am afraid
he may some day entirely lose his head.

Monipodio
The maiden is guarded like a condemned convict. This is the reason:
Lothundiaz has had two wives; the first was poor and gave him a son,
the second had a fortune, and when she died left all to her daughter,
and left it in such a way that she could never be deprived of it. The
old man is a miser whose only object is his son's success. Sarpi, the
secretary of the viceroy, in order to win the rich heiress, has
promised to obtain a title for Lothundiaz, and takes vast interest in
the son--

Quinola
There you are--an enemy at the very outset.

Monipodio
We must use great prudence. Listen. I am going to give a hint to
Mathieu Magis, the most prominent Lombard in the city, and a man
entirely under my influence. You will find everything you need at his
palace, from diamonds down to low shoes. When you return here you
shall see our young lady. (Exeunt.)


SCENE THIRD