326 OLAVIGO: A TRAGEDY. 



Beau. Have-you another term for it? 



Clav. I should have thought 



Beau. " Have deceived." What you have done you can surely write. 

 " I left her without knowing any failing or weakness on her part to furnish 

 a pretext or apology for this perfidy " 



Clav. Now ! 



Beau. f( On the contrary, the conduct of the ladies has been always 

 pure, irreproachable, and worthy of all veneration " 



Clav. Of all veneration 



Beau. " I acknowledge that by my conduct, the levity of my discourse, 

 and the interpretation to which these were subject, I have openly humi- 

 liated this virtuous lady, for which I implore her forgiveness, although I 

 do not deem myself worthy of obtaining it." (Clav. stopping.) Write ! 

 write ! " Which acknowledgment I have given unrestrainedly and 

 voluntarily, with this especial promise, that should this not be esteemed 

 sufficient satisfaction to the injured, I am ready to give it in any other 

 manner that maybe required. Madrid." 



(jClavigo rises, beckons to the servants to retire, gives Bcaumarchais 

 the paper.) 



Clav. I have to do with an injured but a noble man. You will keep 

 your word then and defer your revenge. With this expectation solely and 

 with this hope have I with my own hand written this disgraceful paper, 

 whereto nothing else could have impelled me. But ere I venture to 

 appear before Donna Maria I have determined to commission some one to 

 speak to her for me, arid that person is yourself. 



Beau. Do not rely upon me. 



Clav. At least tell her the bitter heartfelt repentance you have witnessed 

 in me. That is all I desire of you ; do not deny me this. I must choose 

 another, though a less powerful intercessor, but you owe her at least a 

 true relation ; tell her, therefore, the state in which you find me ! 



Beau. Well, that I can and will do. And so adieu. 



Clav. Farewell! {Offers his hand, Beaumarchais draws lack, and exit.) 

 So unexpectedly hurried from one situation into another. One grows giddy ; 

 dreams as it were ! I ought not to have given this reparation. But it 

 came upon me so suddenly, as unexpected as a thunder storm ! 



Enter Carlos. 



Car. What visiter have you had ? The whole house is in an uproar. 

 What does it all mean ? 



Clav. Maria's brother. 



Car. I guessed as much. That old dog of a servant of mine, who for- 

 merly lived with Guilbert, now I recollect, told me yesterday he was 

 expected. So he has been here ? 



Clav. A most excellent youth. 



Car. Whom we will soon get rid of. I have already hit upon a plan ! 

 Well, what's the upshot ? a challenge? an apology? Was he terribly hot, 

 the jockey ? 



Clav. He desired a declaration that his sister gave me no cause for the 

 desertion. 



Car. And did you make it? 



Clav. I thought it right to do so. 



Car. Good very good ! Has nothing else transpired ? 



Clav. He insisted upon a duel or the reparation. 



Car. The latter was the most prudent, for who would risk his life in so 

 romantic and idle a matter ? And wasjie furious in his demand of the 

 paper ? 



Clav. He dictated it to me, and I was obliged to summon my servants 

 into the gallery. 



