You are a very droll rascal.

Quinola (taking him aside)
Are not you the cousin of the Marchioness of Mondejar?

The Captain
What if I am?

Quinola
Although she is high in favor, she is on the brink of an abyss, into
which she may fall and lose her head in falling.

The Captain
All people of your class trump up these stories!--Listen, you are the
twenty-second person, and we have only reached the tenth of the month,
who has made an attempt to be introduced to the favorite, for the
purpose of squeezing a few pistoles from her. Take yourself off or
else--

Quinola
My lord, it is better to be misled by twenty-two poor devils,
twenty-two times, than once to miss the opportunity of heeding him who
is sent by your good angel; and you see, I may also say (he opens his
mantle) I am wearing her wings.

The Captain
Let us end this, and tell me what proof of your errand you can give?

Quinola (handing him a letter)
This little message you must return to me so that the secret remains