Don Lorenzo. And why not mine too?
Dr. Tomás. I always considered my friends as yours.
Don Lorenzo. [Looks at him for a moment.] So they are. [Aside.] Ah, this complaisance! I would have preferred to see them resist—struggle against me!
SCENE V
Doña Ángela, the Duchess, Edward, and Dr. Tomás.
Doña Ángela. Duchess!
Duchess. Madam! [Salutes affectionately.]
Doña Ángela. You are always so good to us.
Duchess. It is my duty to offer the consolations of sincere friendship in your cruel trouble. God has willed that the same misfortune should strike us all though in different ways. [Lowers her voice and points to Edward on uttering the last word.]
Doña Ángela. But what then do you call the misfortune that has struck me? I know not.
Edward. Well, madam, the moment for naming it has arrived. It is called poverty, and shame, and the death of Inés, or
Doña Ángela and Duchess, [At same time.] Edward!
Edward. Forgive me, mother. We should each and all speak out the truth to-day. You have already said: 'I will compromise with Don Lorenzo's calamity for the sake of the love I bear you and that which you bear me; but I will never compromise with his public dishonour,—never, not even for the price of your life.' My life, mother, was it not so 'twas said?
Duchess. [With energy, but sadly.] Yes.
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