The Phantom Lady
by Pedro
Calderón de la Barca
(1629)
Translation by Matthew D. Stroud
Act III
[Angela’s room]
Enter Manuel in the dark, guided by Isabel, who leads him into a closet or inner room.
Isabel
Wait here. Madam will see you shortly.
She leaves, closing the door.
Manuel
What a turn of events! Did she close the door? Yes. Whose misfortune can equal mine? Scarcely had I returned from El Escorial when this celestial apparition, this remarkable enchantment, brought me light only to leave me in the deepest darkness of doubt. She left me another letter, in which she declares so sweetly: (Reads) “If you dare to come see me, it must be tonight, and without the servant who accompanies you. Two men will await you in the cemetery of Saint Sebastian — this is the strange part! — with a sedan chair. And she did not lie. I followed her instructions, and tried so hard to figure out what was going on that I went half mad. Finally I discovered a portal full of horror, darkness, and fear. Alone and without any light at all, I went through it. There I found a woman, at least it looked and sounded like a woman. Feeling her way in the darkness, she guided me from room to room without speaking, hearing, or seeing. But now I see light through a door jamb. Love, you have fulfilled your desire.. (Looking into the main part of Angela’s room.) I see the lady and await an adventure. What an enchanted house! What lovely ladies! What a sumptuous room! What riches! What beauty!
Enter all the ladies with napkins, sweets, and water, making gestures of great reverence. Enter Angela, very richly dressed.
Angela
(To Beatriz.) (Since you are hiding here in our house but my brothers assume that you have gone home, your worries are unfounded. Once you are back home, you will have nothing to fear.)
Beatriz
(To Angela.) (What is my role to be?)
Angela
(To Beatriz.) (For the moment, that of my servant. Later, alone, we shall see what happens.)
(To Manuel.) Are you unhappy to see me?
Manuel
No, madam. He who awaits the dawn knows well that his joy lies just beyond the cold, dark night. In like manner do I rejoice in my moment of darkness. The longer the wait, the greater the satisfaction at daybreak. Yet it was not necessary for me to endure the dark of night to be awed by the brilliance of your beauty. You shine with such magnificence, that it is not possible for you to be eclipsed by shadow or night. You are the day that dawns without need of any other sun. Flee the night, madam; greet the birds that welcome the light that first illuminates the sky, turning ebony to cobalt to aquamarine. Next comes the golden dawn, inflaming the sky with its delicate rays of light. The sun appears, the sun that alone can brighten, gild, and burn. First light follows night; the contact makes the rosy glow seem all the brighter. Dawn seeks to build on the first rays of light. The sun, singular divinity, challenges the dawn, and you, the sun. Thus I repeat that it was not necessary for me to endure the cold, dark night to revel in your shining splendor that, even at this hour, rivals the sun at mid-day.
Angela
Although I should appreciate such a pretty speech, I must complain, and not in vain, about such flattering excess. Since this is not heaven, or a sphere against whose noble burning the wind tires itself but rather a simple house, your exaggerations make me most suspicious. Likewise, I am not light, for I lack the laughter of pure joy; I am not dawn, as you can tell by my tears of grief; I am not the sun, since I shed no light on the truth I adore. Indeed, I know not what I am. I only know that I am not light or dawn or sun, for today neither do I shine nor laugh nor weep. I pray you, Manuel, tell them that I am and have been a woman whom you alone drive to such extremes.
Manuel
It must not amount to very much, since although I came to see you here, I could argue that I have more to regret, my lady, than to rejoice. You have offended me greatly, madam.
Angela
Offended you?
Manuel
Yes, since you will not trust me with who you are.
2366 Angela
I ask you only that you not ask me that. I cannot tell you. If you wish to come speak to me, it must on condition that you not know nor can you ask. I offer myself to you today as an enigma, for neither am I what I appear to be, nor do I appear to be what I am. While I am veiled, you may see me and I may see you. But if you come just to find out who I am, and are successful, you will no longer wish to love me even though my feelings for you will not have changed. When death is the artist, one cannot always be sure of the portrait. Something may have one form in one light and quite another in a different light. Love, the painter, brings two lights into harmony, which is what you have in me. Today you see me in this light; that is why you seek me. When you see me again in another light, perhaps you may hate me. What is important for me today is that that I swear that I am not Luis’s lady. You may put aside that suspicion once and for all.
Manuel
Then, madam, what moved you to disguise yourself and hide from him?
Angela
I could be a noble woman with much to lose should Luis recognize me.
Manuel
Can you tell me at least how you are able to enter my room?
Angela
That, too, must wait for another time, for the same reasons.
Beatriz
(Aside) (That’s my cue.) The water and sweets have arrived, your excellency, if you would wish…
The ladies approach with the napkins, glasses, and trays of sweets.
Angela
What impertinence! Fool, who is “your excellency”? Do you hope thus to deceive our guest, causing him to believe that I am great lady?
Beatriz
Madam…
Manuel (Aside)
(That’s one question answered. I have always thought her to be a great lady who, because of her rank and status, disguised herself, and kept her secret bought with gold.)
Offstage Juan calls and the women stir.
Juan (Within)
Open up! Open this door!
Angela
Heavens! What is that noise?
Isabel
We’re sunk!
Beatriz
I am frozen with fright.
Manuel (Aside)
(Is there no end to my bad luck? Heaven help me!)
Angela
My lord, it is my husband.
Manuel
What should I do?
Angela
You must hide … at once! Isabel, lead him away and hide him in the room you know of… you understand.
Isabel
Come quickly. (She exits.)
Juan (Within)
Will you not open this door?
Manuel
May heaven help me! My life and my honor depend upon a fortuitous exit. (Exit.)
Juan (Within)
By God, I’ll break it down!
Angela
Beatriz, you hide over there, and make sure he doesn’t see you. [Enter Juan.] What do you want in my room at this hour? What brings you to disturb us like this?
Juan
You answer my questions first. What dress is that?
Angela
You usually see me in mourning, full of grief and despair. I only hoped to cheer myself a bit with these clothes.
Juan
I do not doubt it. Women can easily solve their problems with jewels or a new frock, even if in your case I find it a bit unseemly.
Angela
Why should you care what I wear in the privacy of my own room?
Juan
Tell me, did Beatriz return home?
Angela
Just so. Her father has changed his mind and decided to forgive her.
Juan
I did not care to know more. I merely wanted to find out if I might see her and speak to her tonight. I shall leave, but remember, that dress does not suit you. (Exit.)
Angela
Good-bye… and good riddance.
(Beatriz comes out of hiding.)
Close the door, Beatriz.
Beatriz
We came out of this fright rather well. Your brother is going to look for me.
Angela
Until the house has settled down, and Manuel returns from his room to see me, let us hide here in this niche so that we might be harder to find.
Beatriz
If this turns out well, you deserve to be called the Phantom Lady.
Exeunt.
[Manuel’s room]
Enter Manuel and Isabel through the cupboard.
2479 Isabel
You must remain here, and make no noise that might attract attention.
Manuel
I shall be as still as a statue.
Isabel (Aside.)
(I hope I can get this thing closed well. I’m so nervous.) (Exit.)
Manuel
Oh, how much one risks when one dares enter into a game in which he does not know and cannot imagine the losses that await him, the misfortunes that are in store! Here I am in the house of a most noble gentleman, so far away from my home, confronted by a thousand cruel surprises. But what is this? It appears that someone is opening a door. Yes, people are entering.
Enter Cosme.
Cosme
Thank God that I was able to come back freely and fearlessly into my room, even though I have no light. Then again, if the ghost has my master, what would he want from me? (He bumps into Manuel.) Uh oh! More trouble. Who goes there? Who are you?
Manuel
Hold your tongue, I tell you, whoever you are, if you do not wish to die pummeled by my fists.
Cosme
You have my word on it. I won’t speak any more than a poor relation in the house of a rich man.
Manuel
(Aside.) (This must be a servant who has happened into this room. I can find out from him where I am.) Tell me, what house is this, and who is its owner?
Cosme
Sir, this house and its owner both belong to the devil, may he take me. Here lives a lady whom they call the Phantom Lady, who is a demon in the shape of a woman.
Manuel
And who are you?
Cosme
I am a servant or valet, an underling, a lackey who suffers these enchantments without knowing why.
Manuel
And who is your master?
Cosme
He’s a madman, impertinent, foolish, idiotic, and wretched, who has lost his mind over a lady.
Manuel
And his name?
Cosme
Manuel Enríquez.
Manuel
My God!
Cosme
I am called Cosme Catiboratos. At your service.
Manuel
Cosme, you?! I am your master. How have you come here? Tell me, have you been following me from the cemetery? Did you enter with me and hide in this room as well?
Cosme
What a clever game you play. Tell me, how did you end up here? Didn’t you go off by yourself at their instruction, ever so brave and noble? So how have you returned so quickly? And how did you get into this room since I have the key?
Manuel
What room is this?
Cosme
Either yours or the devil’s.
Manuel
By God, you are lying. Just now I was far from here, in a very different house.
Cosme
It must be the work of the goblin, because I’m telling you the gospel truth.
Manuel
You are trying to drive me mad.
Cosme
What else can I say to make you believe me? Go through that door and you’ll see where we are.
Manuel
Good idea. I shall return immediately. (Exit.)
Cosme
Ladies and Gentlemen, shall we ever find out way out of this confusion?
Enter Isabel through the cupboard.
Isabel
(Aside.) (Juan has left again. I have to retrieve Manuel before he figures out what’s going on.) Psst! Psst!
Cosme
Things are getting worse. These pssts are downright psscary.
Isabel
My lord has now retired.
Cosme (Aside)
(What lord?)
Enter Manuel.
Manuel
Indeed, this is my room.
Cosme
Is that you?
Isabel
(To Cosme) (Yes, it is I. Come with me quickly.)
Manuel
You are quite right.
Isabel
(To Cosme) (Do not be afraid. There is nothing to fear.)
Cosme
Sir, the ghost is taking me away!
Isabel leads Cosme out through the cupboard.
Manuel
Shall we never know the source of this intrigue? Answer me! What a fool you are. Cosme! Cosme? My God, there is nothing here but walls. Was I not just now talking with him? Was he not here? I shall surely lose my mind completely, and for good reason. At least, since someone else is sure to enter here, I can find out how. I shall hide in this alcove and wait attentively until I can discover who is the lovely Phantom Lady.
He hides.
[Angela’s room]
Enter Angela, Beatriz, and a servant, one with a candle, another with some boxes, and a third with a glass of water.
Angela
Since my brother has left the house to look for you, and since Isabel has taken Manuel to her room, everything is ready. Let him find the entire scene set when he arrives. Places, everyone.
Beatriz
I have never seen such a deception in my entire life.
Angela
Is he coming?
Servant
Yes, I hear footsteps.
Enter Isabel, leading Cosme by the hand.
2604 Cosme
God help me! Where am I going? This isn’t funny any more. But wait. Now I see all these beautiful ladies? Who am I? Lancelot? Am I little old Cosme or King Arthur?
Isabel
Here he is. What’s this? Sir!
Cosme
(Aside.) (Now I am sure I am bewitched. My soul hangs by a thread.)
Angela
Isabel, what is this?
Isabel
(To her mistress.) (My lady, when I went back for Manuel, in the same room where I left him, I found his servant.)
Beatriz
What a clumsy error!
Isabel
It was dark!
Angela
Alas! The trick has now been revealed.
Beatriz
(To Angela.) (Maybe not just yet.) Cosme.
Cosme
Guinevere.
Beatriz
Come here, sit by me.
Cosme
I’m fine here, thank you very much.
Angela
Please, do not be afraid.
Cosme
Afraid, a man of my courage?
Angela
Then come here, won’t you?
Cosme approaches them.
2626 Cosme
(Aside.) (I can’t get out of it since my reputation and my honor depend on it.) It is not out of fear that I keep my distance but out of respect. Why, how could I fear the devil himself dressed as a woman? Actually, the devil tried it once, and for a certain trick he put on a corset and petticoats. In fact, I think the devil invented corsets and petticoats. Anyway, disguised as a lovely young maiden, rich and well-dressed, he appeared to a shepherd, who, as soon as he saw her burst into flames of passion for her. He had a merry time with the she-devil. Afterward, the devil returned to his hideous, horrible form and asked, “Wretch, don’t you see the truth of the beauty you have enjoyed? You have nothing left but despair, for you pursued me!” The shepherd, less unhappy than before he ravished her, replied, “Oh, vain and false spirit, you tried to make this unhappy man despair. Come back tomorrow in the same disguise and you’ll find me just as amorous and solicitous afterwards as before. Let me tell you a secret: as horrible as he may be, a devil is not a half bad when dressed as a woman.
Angela
You are not yourself. Please, have a drink. Great frights make one thirsty.
Cosme
No, thanks.
Beatriz
We must be going. You have to return to your room two hundred leagues from here. (Luis begins calling offstage.)
Cosme
What? What’s that noise?
Angela
Are they calling?
Beatriz
Indeed.
Isabel
How dreadful!
Angela
Oh, unhappy me!
Luis (Within.)
Isabel.
Beatriz
Heaven help me!
Luis (Within)
Open up here.
Angela
For every problem I have a different brother.
Isabel
This is too much!
Beatriz
I shall hide. (Exit.)
Cosme
This must be the real ghost.
Isabel
(To Cosme) (Come with me.)
Cosme
Sure thing.
Enter Luis.
Angela
What business do you have here in my room?
Luis
A thousand miseries lead me to spoil other pleasures. Not long ago I saw in this room a chair used by Beatriz, and then I saw my brother enter.
Angela
And? What do you want?
Luis
Since this room is above my own, it seemed to me that I heard footsteps. To satisfy myself, I have come up to have a look around.
(Luis opens a door and discovers Beatriz hiding.)
Beatriz, you, here?
Beatriz
Indeed. I had to return because my father became angry again, as usual.
Luis
You both seem quite nervous. What is all this with the napkins, glasses, and sweets?
Angela
Why on earth would you have the slightest interest in the way we women entertain ourselves when we are alone?
Isabel and Cosme make noise in the cupboard passage.
Luis
What is that noise?
Angela (Aside)
(I am undone!)
Luis
By God, there are people here! This cannot be my brother’s doing. I am sure he knows nothing of this!
(He opens the cupboard wider in order to enter carrying a light.)
My heavens! Here I am worried about the petty jealousies of love, when all along I should have been much more concerned for our honor! I shall take a light, even though I know it may be imprudent. Light can reveal everything, including dishonor. (Exit.)
Angela
Oh, Beatriz! If he finds him, we are lost!
Beatriz
If Isabel now has him in her room, then you are worried for nothing. The secret of the cupboard is safe.
Angela
But what if my luck is such that Isabel was not able to close the cupboard tightly. What if Luis enters there?
Beatriz
Then you will need to find a safe place.
Angela
I shall throw myself on the mercy of your father and ask him to help me the way that I helped you. If one problem brought you here, another may take me there.
Exeunt.
[Manuel’s room]
Enter Isabel and Cosme through the cupboard. Enter Manuel through the door.
Isabel
Here, quickly. (She exits.)
Manuel
Once again I hear people in this room.
Enter Luis with a light.
Luis
I saw a man! God help me!
Cosme
This can’t be good.
Luis
Why is the cupboard out of place?
2733 Cosme
Oh, no! Another light! I’ll hide under this desk. (He hides.)
2734 Manuel
I have had enough of this. (He puts his hand on his sword.)
Luis
Manuel!
Manuel
Luis! How is this possible? What utter confusion!
Cosme (Aside)
See how they entered! I tried to tell him a thousand times!
Luis
Nefarious gentleman, nay, villain, traitor, contemptible guest who draws his unworthy sword against a host who has shown you nothing but honor, service, and favor! You dare confront me so?
Manuel
I fight only to defend myself. I am totally bewildered seeing you and hearing you. Even should you try to kill me, you will not succeed because I, made stronger in the crucible of misfortune, am now immortal. You shall not, even though you may try, give me death. If all my grief has not done me in, then neither shall you, no matter how brave you are.
Luis
Do not try to talk your way out of this.
Manuel
But wait, Luis. I believe there is a way to satisfy you.
Luis
What satisfaction can there be if you try so boldly to dishonor me? With you standing here in this room, can there possibly be satisfaction?
Manuel
May my sword pierce my heart a thousand times, Luis, if I ever had any idea that there was a passage to the other room.
Luis
So what are you doing locked up in here without any light?
Manuel
(Aside.) (What shall I tell him?) I am waiting for my servant.
Luis
When I have seen you hiding, you want me to believe that my eyes are lying to me?
Manuel
Yes, for the eyes are more susceptible to deceit than any of the other senses.
Luis
And if my eyes are deceiving me, you want me to believe that my ears are lying to me as well?
Manuel
Indeed.
Luis
Then all my senses are lying, and only you are telling me the truth? You are the only one who….
Manuel
Wait, before you accuse me of being a liar, I shall cut you down before you can utter another word. If you want a duel, then I am at your service. I have put up with enough in the name of friendship. But since you are determined that we should duel, let us fight fairly. Let us each take half the candle so that we can each see equally well. Close that door you came through so imprudently while I close this other one. I shall throw the key on the floor so that the one who remains alive will be able to leave.
Luis
I shall push the cupboard closed and seal it with this desk so that no one can open it from the other side.
When Luis moves the desk, he reveals Cosme hiding under it.
Cosme
Damn it all.
Luis
Who is there?
Manuel
More bad luck!
Cosme
There’s nobody here.
Luis
Tell me, Manuel, is this the servant you were waiting for?
Manuel
Pay no attention to him. I know that I am right. Believe of me what you will, but with my sword in my hand, only one of us will remain alive.
Luis
Then let us fight. What are you waiting for?
Manuel
You offend me greatly if you think I am a coward. I am wondering what to do with my servant. If we throw him out he will tell everyone what he knows. If he stays he will surely come to my aid.
Cosme
No way. Far be it from me to interfere.
Luis
This room has an alcove. Let us lock him in there and thus we shall be equals.
Manuel
Very well. Go, Cosme.
Cosme
Why do you go on so about my not fighting. There wasn’t the slightest chance that that would happen. (Exit.)
Manuel
Now it is just the two of us.
Luis
Let the duel begin. (They fight.)
Manuel
What a valiant fighter!
Luis
What strength! What courage! (The hilt of his sword comes undone.)
I cannot believe this! My sword has come undone. I am defenseless.
Manuel
That is no fault of your valor. It was just an accident. Go for another.
Luis
You are a most gracious gentleman. (Aside.) (Oh, Fortune, what must I do in such a situation. The man who dishonors me also spares my life? I must find a way, one way or the other, to do the right thing.)
Manuel
Will you not go for another sword?
Luis
Yes. Since you are waiting for me, I shall return promptly.
Manuel
Quickly or not, I shall be here.
Luis
God be with you.
Manuel
And with you.
(Exit Luis.)
I shall close the door and remove the key so that no one can see that there are people here. What astonishing confusion besieges my mind! But I knew there had to be another door or passage into this room, and that our visitor was Luis’s lady! In fact, everything is turning out just as I imagined. But then, misfortunes are always true.
Cosme looks over the partition..
Cosme
Oh, master! For the love of God, now that you are alone, let me out of here. I am afraid that the ghost will come back for me with all the giving and taking and haggling and squabbling. And here I am in a cubby hole where I can barely see the walls.
Manuel
I shall open the door. I am so overcome by your description of your plight, I cannot imagine anything more pitiful.
Exit Manuel into the alcove. Enter Juan and Angela, who is wearing a cloak.
Juan
Wait here while I seek out the cause of all these goings-on and the reason why you should be leaving the house at this hour. I do not want you to go to your room because I want to satisfy myself regarding what has gone on. (Aside) (I shall leave her here in Manuel’s room. Lest he should appear, I shall place a servant at the door with orders that no one shall pass.) (Exit.)
Angela
I could not be more miserable. My misfortunes cascade one after the other. I am undone.
Enter Manuel and Cosme
Cosme
Let’s get out of here.
Manuel
What are you afraid of?
Cosme
That woman is a devil, and she still won’t leave me alone!
Manuel
But we now know who she is, and there is a desk against one door and the other is locked with a key. How do you expect her to get in?
Cosme
However she wants.
Manuel
What a fool you are.
Cosme
(Spotting Angela.) Sweet Jesus!
Manuel
Why are you shouting?
Cosme
It seemed like the right thing to do.
2907 Manuel
(Seeing Angela.) Are you an illusion, a shadow, or a woman who has come to kill me? How did you get in?
Angela
Manuel
Manuel
Go on.
Angela
Please listen. Luis came to my room in a terrible state. He burst in daringly, raced around madly, searched the room blindly, went through the passage imprudently and found you unexpectedly. The next thing I knew there was the sound of swords clashing. I knew that for two noblemen locked in a room, spurred on by their honor and their valor, there was no alternative but a duel to the death. Breathless and lifeless, I fled from my house, and in the cold dark of night, the bleakness of which reflected my fortune, I began to walk. I stumbled here and made a wrong turn there. Once I tripped and another time I caught my dress on something. Alone, miserable, and distraught, I finally made my way to the threshold of a house that was my prison when it should have been sacred ground or at least safe harbor. But what more can a misbegotten soul expect? Do you not see how fate links together our misfortunes in endless chains? There at the door was my brother, Don Juan. I tried mightily but in vain to resist telling him who I was, but having kept it from him has placed us in such extraordinary jeopardy. Who will believe that silence in a woman could have caused such calamity? And it is true that, as a woman, my silence has led to my death. At any rate, he was waiting at that door when, heaven help me, I arrived at its threshold. I was a volcano of ice or a snowcap of fire. In the scarce light provided by the pale moon, he was able to see the jewels on my breast — it is not the first time such baubles have betrayed a woman — and he heard the rustle of my dress —nor is it the first time a dress has undone a woman. He thought I was his lady and, like a moth to a flame hoping to consummate his love in fire, he found in me only the ghost of his lucky star. Who could believe that a gentleman, consumed by jealousy, should find his fortune so contrary that he should not know that jealousy is his fate? He tried to speak to me but he could not, for feelings have always lacked a proper voice. In sad words that rose poorly formed from his heart to his lips, he sought the cause of his misery. I tried to answer him, but I have already mentioned that feelings know no words. I tried, but I could not. Reason works poorly in the presence of fear. I tried to find excuses for my guilt, but when one seeks out exoneration, it usually comes late or never. The crime is affirmed by the denial. “Come, wicked sister,” he said, “you who are the first stain on our ancient honor. I shall keep you cloistered where you will be safe and out of harm’s way until I discover, calmly and rationally, the cause of this dishonor.” I came in here and fortune allowed my spirits to rise a bit when I saw you. For having loved you I have become a false spirit in my own house. Having admired you, I have been buried alive by my woes. She who would fail to respect your nobility does not love you. She who would admit her treason face to face does not deserve you. My intention was to love you, my goal to cherish you, my fear to lose you, my concern to reassure you, my life’s purpose to honor you, my soul’s ambition to adore you, my desire to serve you, and my plea, in effect, to persuade you to look after my troubles, to help me, to support me, to rescue me, and to deliver me.
3005 Manuel
(Aside.) (My misfortunes multiply like hydra, reborn from the ashes. What shall I do in such a blind abyss, a labyrinth, a tangled web. She is the sister of Luis, when I thought she was his lady. My God, if I thought I offended his love, what have I done to his honor? Righteous torment! She is his sister. If I come to her aid and defend her with my sword, maintaining her innocence with my blade, my guilt is even greater, for then I am a traitor who has dishonored her house by my presence. But to wish to exonerate myself by implicating her is to say that she is to blame, and my sense of honor will not allow that. So, what am I supposed to do? If I defend her, I am a traitor; if I abandon her, I am a cad; if I hide her, I am an unworthy guest; if I turn her over to her brother, I am less than human; if I take her under my protection, I am an unworthy friend. Since no matter which choice I make I must end up worse off, at least let me die fighting.) Fear not, madam. I am a nobleman and you are now with me.
Cosme
They are opening the door.
Manuel
Be not afraid. My valor will protect you.
Angela
It is my brother.
Manuel
Have no doubts. Get behind me.
Enter Luis.
Luis
I have returned. But, what is this? Traitor! (He threatens Angela.)
Manuel
Hold your sword, Luis. I have been waiting for you in this room since you left. Here, without my understanding how, this lady entered. She claims to be your sister. I give you my word as a gentleman that I do not know her. Suffice it to say that, deceived, I have spoken to her without knowing who she was. At the risk of my own life and soul I am placing her under my protection. Therefore our duel, which was supposed to be just between us behind closed doors, will now become a public scandal if you do not allow us to leave. Having made sure she is safe, I shall return to satisfy the demands of our dispute. As one who lives by honor and for whom there is nothing more important than sword and honor, allow me to go for the sake of honor, since I allowed you to go for a sword.
Luis
I went for it, but only to place it here at your feet. Our earlier differences are now resolved. But now that you give me a new reason, I have a new cause for which to challenge you. This woman is my sister. No one may take her from my sight without first being her husband. Thus, if you insist on taking her hand, it must be with the promise of marriage. When she is then safe and sound you may return to our duel, if you wish.
Manuel
I shall return, but impressed as I am with your prudence and constancy, I shall not fight but rather throw myself on your mercy.
Luis
My friend. (They shake hands.)
Manuel
To fulfill my obligations in full, I offer to your sister my hand in marriage.
Enter Beatriz and Isabel through one door and Juan through another.
Juan
If all you lack is someone to give away the bride, here I am. I was coming from where I left my sister when I heard your voice. Prepared for misfortune, I find I could not be happier. I give you both my blessing.
Beatriz
Well, they may have gotten together, but they did not do it alone.
Juan
Beatriz, you, in my house?
Beatriz
I never left. Someday I shall tell you all about it.
Juan
Let us take full advantage of this happy occasion!
Cosme
Thank God the ghost finally declared herself! Tell me, was it all a drunken dream?
Manuel
Indeed, it was not, and today you shall marry Isabel.
Cosme
I’d really have to be drunk for that. Sorry, but I can’t.
Isabel
And why not?
Cosme
Because I don’t want to waste time better spent by asking this kind audience to forgive our mistakes. We humbly ask your good will and kind indulgence.
