Page:The great Galeoto; Folly or saintliness; two plays done from the verse of José Echegaray into English prose by Hannah Lynch (IA greatgaleotofoll00echerich).djvu/172

 most precious of your possessions [points to Inés], and certainly it is not surprising that you should receive me as an enemy. [Sweetly.]

. Fate is my enemy, nobody else, madam.

. [Aside.] Oh, what can have happened?

. You are right. It is the ruthless enemy of the parents.

. Still more so of the children.

. I do not deny it. But in spite of it, 'tis divine law that governs our human sorrows, and we are forced to respect it. [Makes an effort to turn the conversation, but does not conceal her wonderment.]

. Ah, madam, those laws might often prove less cruel if it were only human cruelty that dictated them. [''The duchess evinces marked impatience. Edward approaches her. Inés goes to her father, while Doña Ángela and Dr. Tomás look on gloomily.'']

. [Aside to Don Lorenzo.] Father, I entreat you

. [Aside to Duchess.] For my sake, mother.

. [Haughtily and dryly.] I am a mother, and I adore my son. I know that happiness is not possible for him without this young lady, and rather than lose one child I prefer to gain two.

. [To Don Lorenzo.] See how kind she is, father.

. To lose a son were a terrible misfortune.

. [Gently and approaching Don Lorenzo.] Will you not consent to bestow also the name of son upon my boy?

. [In low voice of entreaty.] Answer, father.

. [Looks sadly at his daughter, takes her 132