THE SPANISH STUDENT. АСТ І. SCENE I. The COUNT OF LARA's chambers. Night. The COUNT in his dressing-gown, smoking and conversing with LARA. You were not at the play to-night, Don Carlos; How happened it? Pray, who was there? DON CARLOS. I had engagements elsewhere. LARA. Why, all the town and court. The house was crowded; and the busy fans There was the Countess of Medina Celi; And Doña Serafina, and her cousins. What was the play? DON CARLOS. LARA. It was a dull affair ; One of those comedies in which you see, As Lope says,20 the history of the world Brought down from Genesis to the Day of Judg ment. There were three duels fought in the first act, Laying their hands upon their hearts, and saying, "Oh, I am dead!" a lover in a closet, An old hidalgo, and a gay Don Juan, A Doña Inez with a black mantilla, Followed at twilight by an unknown lover, Who looks intently where he knows she is not! DON CARLOS. Of course, the Preciosa danced to-night? LARA. And never better. Every footstep fell DON CARLOS. Almost beyond the privilege of woman! Her step was royal, queen-like,—and her face As beautiful as a saint's in Paradise. LARA. May not a saint fall from her Paradise, And be no more a saint? DON CARLOS. Why do you ask? LARA. Because I have heard it said this angel fell, DON CARLOS. You do her wrong; indeed you do her wrong! LARA. How credulous you are! Why look you, friend, Of inconsiderate youth, is to be held A model for her virtue? Nay, not to be won at all! The only virtue that a Gipsy prizes LARA. And does that prove That Preciosa is above suspicion? DON CARLOS. It proves a nobleman may be repulsed |