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Indiana University Studies 
sister, is afraid that Alberto will find out that she is harboring 
a fugitive from justice, w hereupon Claudia puts the matter 
before Alberto (as Juan) and shows him the letter he wrote 
her. He almost forgets that he is secretary and has to be 
reproved for his affectionate language to Claudia. 
In the second act, both Federico and Alberto suspect each 
other’s identity. Claudia confesses to Juan — Alberto — that 
she preferred Alberto for a husband, but says that on hearing 
of his engagement to a Hungarian lady she became so jealous 
that she refused to see him. He decides to test her and makes 
love to Laura, who gives him a ring. At this Claudia flies 
into a passion and orders him away, saying that she has had 
a letter from Alberto, who knows Juan’s whereabouts. Feder- 
ico, in order to know whether Juan is Alberto, writes a note 
to Claudia to be delivered by Juan and thinks that if his sus- 
picions are true, Juan will not deliver the note. He is mis- 
taken fol* Claudia reads the note aloud and learns that Feder- 
ico is disguised as a servant in her house and wishes to speak 
with her. Juan is now the one to fly into a passion and he 
tears up the note. 
Claudia, altho in love with Juan, is so put out at the supposed 
love of Laura and Juan that she reproves her sister and orders 
Juan to leave that night. Laura, finding that Juan is deceiv- 
ing her about the possession of the ring, which Claudia has 
returned to her and which Juan says he still has and wants to 
keep, accuses him of treachery and will have nothing more 
to do with him. Federico sends to Florence to find out 
whether Alberto has left and learns that he is with Claudia. 
Yepes tells Claudia that Alberto is coming, very angry, that 
very day. She confesses her love to Juan and tells him to flee 
for his life. Federico discloses Juan’s identity and asks 
Claudia to choose between them, which she does, in favor of 
Alberto, and Federico and Laura are satisfied with each other. 
The comparison of Los desprecios en quien ama with El 
desden con el desden reveals nothing really in common be- 
tween the two. The Montalvan play has a title which is mis- 
leading. If there were more of the element of “desprecio” in 
the play, it would have something in common with Moreto’s. 
Claudia shows no particular “desprecio” toward Alberto. She 
is moved rather by jealousy all the way thru, and Alberto 
employs the same means. Furthermore, Claudia already pre- 
