D. Julian. [To Pepito.] And you! The deuce, why don't you offer your arm to your mother? My good brother Severo will take mine. So, quite a family party, and now let pleasure flow with the wine in our glasses. So there are gossips about? Well, let them chatter and scream. A farthing for all they can say. I shouldn't object to a glass house, that they might have the pleasure of staring in at Teodora and Ernest together, and learn how little I care for their spite and their calumnies. Each man to his fancy.
[Enter servant in black suit and white tie.]
Servant. Dinner is served.
[The dining-room door opens and displays a well-appointed table.]
D. Julian. Let us look after our life, since it will be the affair of others to look after our death. Come. [Invites the others to pass.]
Teodora. Mercedes.
Mercedes. Teodora.
Teodora. I pray you, Mercedes.
[Doña Mercedes passes in with Pepito and takes her place at the table. Ernest and Teodora stand plunged in thought, Ernest looking anxiously at her.]
D. Julian. [Aside.] He is looking at her, and there are tears in her eyes. [Teodora, walking unsteadily and struggling with emotion, slowly follows the others inside.]
D. Julian. [To Severo.] Are they talking together?
D. Severo. I don't know, but I think it very probable.
D. Julian. Why are they looking back at us? Both! Did you notice? I wonder why.
D. Severo. You see, you are growing reasonable at last!
D. Julian. No, I've caught your madness. Ah, how sure a thing is calumny! It pierces straight to the heart.
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