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Between himself and Donna Mencia,
The sister of your wife; to whom by stealth,
The Lady being somewhat disinclined,
He has of late made frequent visits; hoping
Last night, with her consent, to have surprised you,
When as a masquer he should join the guests,
By asking from your love a brother's blessing.

(Henriquez falls back into his chairs uttering a deep groan.)

LEONORA (rushing to him in great alarm).

Alas! so strong an agony is here,

The hand of death is on him.

CARLOS.

'Tis but the pitch and crisis of his grief:

Be not alarm'd; he will recover presently.
(Diego, coming forward, speaks aside to Leonora.)

DIEGO.

Bid all withdraw, and be with him alone

When he recovers.

LEONORA (aside).

How when he recovers?

Alone with him! I know not what thou mean'st.

DIEGO (speaking to her aloud).

My Lord has from his youth been thus affected,

When press'd by grief; I've seen him so before.
And when the fit goes off, I've known him also