DOÑA RUFINA. We were speaking of Don Enrique.
DOÑA SYRENA. Saved, by the grace of God!
AMBROSIO. Was he released without punishment?
[The young men form in groups round Cleofas and the others in the
foreground at the left.]
CLEOFAS. Pardoned!--This evening he will enter the Franciscan
cloisters to do penance for three months. He will live on bread and
water, wear hair-cloth and sleep on cinders.
DOÑA RUFINA. That is a jolly honeymoon!
DOÑA FABIA. And what does his young wife say?
CLEOFAS. Doña Joana?
DOÑA FABIA AND DOÑA RUFINA. Yes.
CLEOFAS. She says nothing! Since yesterday she has been in such a
deep sleep that they cannot awaken her.
ALL. (Turning) Since yesterday! Is that possible!
CLEOFAS. His Excellency, the Governor, was rejoicing this morning
because his daughter knew nothing of what had happened during the
night. But they are now very much concerned. She had these sleeps
in the convent. But this is a longer sleep than the others, they
say. Cleofas is the only one to work over her.
ALL. Naturally.
CLEOFAS. Naturally!--I cannot make her show a sign of awakening.
ALL. Ah!
CLEOFAS. Pinchings, prickings! I have tried everything except the
red-hot iron, to which His Excellency objects! Pain has vanished! As
the Mooress has bewitched the poor child, my art is ineffective. I
have advised the only effective remedy: exorcism in the same church,
before the highest altar. (They hear the chants of young girls.) His
Excellency and Don Enrique have had the patient carried into it--and
they are praying that the demon which possesses her will be chased
away. Master Oliveira, whom I left there, will be likely to profit
and become an exorciser himself.
[He salutes and takes leave.]
DOÑA RUFINA. And you are going?
DOÑA SYRENA. Without seeing them burn the Sorceress?
CLEOFAS. Pooh! I have seen such things as those so often that I no
longer find them tasteful.
[He leaves by the alley at the right. The others, grouped at the
left, look at Don Enrique, who comes out of the church and slowly
descends the steps.]