and ask her if, for her son's sake, she would not stifle upon a cry of love all these refinements of conscience.
Duchess. [Passionately.] I am capable of making any sacrifice a mother can make.
Edward. [Embracing her.] Thanks, mother, thanks.
Duchess. But
Edward. You have promised, you have promised. [Without heeding her.] And, after all, it may not even be necessary. What assurance have we that Don Lorenzo's tale is true? What tangible proofs are there? None that we know of. The word of a dying woman in delirium? Is that enough?
Duchess. Truly not.
Edward. Yet we have not even that much; for Dr. Tomás has not been able to interrogate Juana. How do we know that she told it to Don Lorenzo, or if he only dreamed it? Let me assure you, Don Lorenzo's head is no sound one.
Duchess. It is not, indeed.
Edward. What an odd and extravagant fellow he is!
Duchess. For my part, I really thought he had gone mad.
Edward. Depend upon it, he is not far off. All these men of learning end that way. Both Dr. Tomás and Ángela admit that he doesn't reason like other men.
SCENE III
The Duchess, Edward, and Doña Ángela.
Doña Ángela. For pity's sake, madam, do not leave us yet. Inés wishes to see you. She calls upon your name through heart-breaking sobs, for you are her sole consolation.
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