DRAMATISPERSONAE
TheProdigals。
"SANDY"……SonofAlexanderMorton，sen。
JOHNOAKHURST……Hisformerpartner，personatingtheprodigalson，Sandy。
COL。STARBOTTLE……AlexanderMorton，sen。’s，legaladviser。
OLDMORTON……AlexanderMorton，sen。
DONJOSE……FatherofJovitaCastro。
CAPPER……Adetective。
CONCHO……Major-domoofDonJose’srancho。
YORK……AnoldfriendofOakhurst。
PRITCHARD……AnAustralianconvict。
SOAPY&SILKY……Hispals。
JACKSON……ConfidentialclerkofAlexanderMorton，jun。，andconfederateofPritchard。
HOPSING……AChineselaundryman。
SERVANTofAlexanderMorton，sen。——POLICEMEN。
MISSMARYMORRIS……TheschoolmistressofRedGulch，inlovewithSandy，andcousinofAlexanderMorton，sen。
DONAJOVITACASTRO……InlovewithJohnOakhurst，anddaughterofDonJose。
THEDUCHESS……WifeofPritchard，illegallymarriedtoSandy，andformer"flame"ofJohnOakhurst。
MANUELA……ServantofCastro，andmaidtoDonaJovita。
ACTI
TheRanchooftheBlessedInnocents，andHouseofDonJoseCastro。
ACTII
RedGulch。
ACTIII
TheBanking-HouseofMorton&Son，SanFrancisco。
ACTIV
TheVillaofAlexanderMorton，sen。，SanFrancisco。
COSTUMES
ALEXANDERMORTON（"SANDY"）。——Firstdress：Mexicanvaquero;blackvelvettrousersopenfromknee，overwhitetrousers;lacedblackvelvetjacket，andbroadwhitesombrero;largesilverspurs。
Seconddress：miner’swhiteduckjumper，andwhiteducktrousers;
（sailor’s）strawhat。Thirddress：fashionablemorningcostume。
Fourthdress：fulleveningdress。
JOHNOAKHURST。——Firstdress：riding-dress，black，elegantlyfitting。Secondandthirddress：fashionable。Fourthdress：fulleveningdress。
COL。STARBOTTLE。——Firstdress：bluedouble-breastedfrock，andwhite"strapped"trousers;whitehat。Seconddress：samecoat，bluetrousers，andblackbroad-brimmedfelthat;cane，semper;
ruffles，semper。Thirddress：thesame。Fourthdress：thesame，withpumps。
YORK。——Fashionablemorningdress。
JACKSON。——Businesssuit。
CONCHO。——Firstdress：vaquero’sdress。Seconddress：citizen’sdress。
HOPSING。——DressofChinesecoolie：dark-blueblouse，anddark-bluedrawersgatheredatankles;strawconicalhat，andwoodensabots。
DONJOSE。——Firstdress：serape，black，withgoldembroidery。
Secondclass：fashionableblacksuit，withbroad-brimmedblackstiffsombrero。
OLDMORTON。——First，second，third，andfourthdress：black，stiff，withwhitecravat。
CAPPER。——Ordinarydressofperiod。
MISSMARY。——Firstdress：tastefulcalicomorningdress。Secondandthirddress：lady’swalkingcostume——fashionable。Fourthdress：
fulldress。
DONAJOVITA。——Firstdress：handsomeSpanishdress，withmanta。
Seconddress：moreelaborate，samequality。
THEDUCHESS。——Firstdress：elaboratebutextravagantfashionablecostume。Seconddress：travelingdress。
MANUELA。——Thesayaymanta;whitewaist，andwhiteorblackskirt，withflowers。
TWOMENOFSANDYBAR
ACTI
SCENE1。——CourtyardandCorridorsoftheRancho。
MANUELA（arrangingsupper-tableincorridorL。，solus）。There！
Tortillas，chocolate，olives，and——thewhiskeyoftheAmericans！
Andsupper’sready。ButwhyDonJosechoosesto-night，ofallnights，withthishereticfoglyingovertheMissionHillslikeawetserape，totakehissupperouthere，thesaintsonlyknow。
Perhapsit’ssomedistrustofhismadcapdaughter，theDonaJovita;
perhapstowatchher——whoknows？AndnowtofindDiego。Ah，herehecomes。So！Theoldstory。HeisgettingDonaJovita’shorsereadyforanothermadcapjourney。Ah！（Retirestotable。）
Entercautiouslyfromcorridor，L。，SANDYMORTON，carryinglady’ssaddleandblanket;startsonobservingMANUELA，andhastilyhidessaddleandblanketinrecess。
Sandy（aside）。She’salone。Ireckontheoldman’sathissiestayet。Efhe’llonlyhangontothatsnoozetenminuteslonger，I’llmanagetoletthatgalJovitaslipouttothatyerfandango，andnoquestionsasked。
Manuela（callingSANDY）。Diego！
Sandy（aside，withoutheedingher）。That’sasweetvoiceforaserenade。Round，full，high-shouldered，andcalkilatedtofetchamaneverytime。Onlytharain’t，tomysartainknowledge，oneo’
themchapswithinamileoftherancho。（Laughs。）
Manuela。Diego！
Sandy（aside）。Oh，goon！That’sthestyleo’themGreasers。
They’llstandrootedintheirtracks，andyellforachapwithoutknowin’whetherhe’sinsightorsound。
Manuela（approachingSANDYimpatiently）。Diego！
Sandy（starting，aside）。Thedevil！Why，that’sMEshe’safter。
（Laughs。）IcleandisrememberedthatwhenIkemyerItolethosechapsmynamewasJames，——JamesSmith（laughs），andthettheymightcallme"Jim。"AndDe-a-go’stheirlingoforJim。（Aloud。）Well，mybeauty，De-a-goitis。Now，wot’sup？
Manuela。Eh？nosabe！
Sandy。Wot’syourlittlegame。（Embracesher。）
Manuela（aside，andrecoilingcoquettishly）。MotherofGod！Hemustbedrunkagain。TheseAmericanshavenotimeforlovewhentheyaresober。（Aloudandcoquettishly。）Letmego，Diego。DonJoseiscoming。Hehassentforyou。Hetakeshissupperto-nightonthecorridor。Listen，Diego。Hemustnotseeyouthus。Youhavebeendrinkingagain。Iwillkeepyoufromhim。Iwillsayyouarenotwell。
Sandy。Couldn’tyou，mydarling，keephimfromME？Couldn’tyoumakehimthinkHEwassick？Couldn’tyousayhe’sexposin’hisprecioushealthbysittin’outtharto-night;thetther’schillsandfeverineverybreath？（Aside。）EftheoldDonplantshimselfinthatchair，thatgal’schancesforgoin’outto-nightisgoneup。
Manuela。Never。Hewouldsuspectatonce。Listen，Diego。IfDonJosedoesnotknowthathisdaughterstealsawaywithyoutomeetsomecaballero，someLOVER，——youunderstand，Diego，——itisbecausehedoesnotknow，orwouldnotSEEMtoknow，whateveryoneelseintheranchoknows。Haveacare，foolishDiego！IfDonJoseisoldandblind，lookyou，friend，weareNOT。Youunderstand？
Sandy（aside）。Whatthedevildoessheexpect？——money？No！
（Aloud。）Lookyer，Manuela，youain’tgoin’toblowonthatyounggal！（Puttinghisarmaroundherwaist。）Allowin’thatshehezalover，tharain’tnothin’onnateralinthet，bein’apurtysorto’
gal。Why，supposesomebodyshouldseeyouandmetogetherlikethis，andshouldjustletontotheoldman。
Manuela。Hush！（Disengagingherself。）Hush！Heiscoming。Letmego，Diego。ItisDonJose！
EnterDonJose，whowalksgravelytothetable，andseatshimself。
MANUELAretirestotable。
Sandy（aside）。Iwonderifhesawus。Ihopehedid：itwouldshutthatManuela’smouthforamonthofSundays。（Laughs。）Godforgivemeforit！I’vedoneaheapofthingsforthatyounggalDonaJovita;butthisyergittin’softontheGreasermaid-servanttohelpoutthemissesisalittlemorethanSandyMortonbargainedfur。
DonJose（toMANUELA）。Youcanretire。Diegowillattendme。
（LooksatDIEGOattentively。）[ExitMANUELA。
Sandy（aside）。Diegowillattendhim！Why，blasthisyellerskin，doesheallowthatSandyMortonhiredoutasapurtywaiter-gal？
BecauseIcalkilatedtofeedhishorses，itain’tnoreasonthetmydootytoanimalsdon’tstopthar。Passhishash！（TurnstofollowMANUELA，butstops。）Hello，Sandy！wotareyedoin’，eh？Youain’tgoingbackonMissJovita，andjestspilethatgal’schancestogitoutto-night，on’ytoteachthatGod-forsakenoldgov’mentmulemanners？No！I’llhumortheoldman，andkeeponeeyeoutforthegal。（Comestotable，andleansfamiliarlyoverthebackofDONJOSE’Schair。）
DonJose（aside）。Heseemsinsultedandannoyed。Hismannerstrengthensmyworstsuspicions。Hehasnotexpectedthis。
（Aloud。）Chocolate，Diego。
Sandy（leaningovertablecarelessly）。Yes，Ireckonit’ssomewharthar。
DonJose（aside）。Heisunusedtomeniallabor。IfIshouldberightinmysuspicions！ifhereallywereDonaJovita’ssecretlover！Thisgallantrywiththeservantsonlyadeceit！Bueno！I
willwatchhim。（Aloud。）Chocolate，Diego！
Sandy（aside）。IwonderiftheoldfoolreckonsI’llpouritout。
Well，seein’she’stheoldest。（Pourschocolateawkwardly，andspillsitonthetableandDONJOSE。）
DonJose（aside）。HeISembarrassed。Iamright。（Aloud。）Diego！
Sandy（leaningconfidentiallyoverDONJOSE’Schair）。Well，oldman！
DonJose。ThreemonthsagomydaughtertheDonaJovitapickedyouup，awanderingvagabond，inthestreetsoftheMission。（Aside。）
Hedoesnotseemashamed。（Aloud。）She——she——ahem！Theaguardiente，Diego。
Sandy（aside）。Thatmeansthewhiskey。It’swonderfulhowquickamanlearnsSpanish。（Passesthebottle，fillsDONJOSE’Sglass，andthenhisown。DONJOSErecoilsinastonishment。）Ilookstowardye，oleman。（Tossesoffliquor。）
DonJose（aside）。Thisfamiliarity！HeISagentleman。Bueno！
（Aloud。）Shewasthrownfromherhorse;herskirtcaughtinthestirrup;shewasdragged;yousavedherlife。You——
Sandy（interrupting，confidentiallydrawingachairtothetable，andseatinghimself）。Lookyer！I’lltellyouallaboutit。Itwasn’tthatgal’sfault，oleman。Thehossshiedatme，lyingdrunkinaditch，yousee;thehossbacked，thesurclebroke;itwarn’tinhumannaturforhertokeepherseat，andthatgalrideslikeanangel;butthemustangthrowedher。Well，Isortergotinthewayo’thethoss，anditstopped。Hevin’binthecauseo’thehossshyin’，forIreckonIdidn’tlookmuchlikeanangellyin’inthatditch，itwasabouttheonlysquarthingformetowaltzinandhelpthegal。Thar，thet’saboutthewaythethingpints。
Now，don’tyougoandholdthataginher！
DonJose。Well，well！Shewasgrateful。ShehasastrangefondnessforyouAmericans;andathersolicitationIgaveyou——
YOU，anunknownvagrant——employmenthereasgroom。Youcomprehend，Diego。I，DonJoseCastro，proprietorofthisrancho，withanhundredidlevaquerosonmyhands，——Imadeaplaceforyou。
Sandy（meditatively）。Umph。
DonJose。Yousaidyouwouldreform。Howhaveyoukeptyourword？
YouweredrunklastWednesday。
Sandy。Thet’sso。
DonJose。AndagainlastSaturday。
Sandy（slowly）。Lookyer，oleman，don’tyebetoohardonme：
thatwasthesameolddrunk。
DonJose。Iaminnomoodfortrifling。Harkye，friendDiego。
Youhaveseen，perhaps，——whohasnot？——thatIamafond，anindulgentfather。Butevenmyconsiderationformydaughter’sstrangetastesandfollieshasitslimit。Yourconductisadisgracetotherancho。Youmustgo。
Sandy（meditatively）。Well，Ireckon，perhapsI’dbetter。
DonJose（aside）。Hiscoolnessissuspicious。Canitbethatheexpectsthegirlwillfollowhim？MotherofGod！perhapsithasbeenalreadyplannedbetweenthem。Good！ThankHeavenIcanendithere。（Aloud。）Diego！
Sandy。Oldman。
DonJose。Formydaughter’ssake，youunderstand，——forhersake，——
Iamwillingtotryyouoncemore。Harkye！Mydaughterisyoung，foolish，andromantic。Ihavereasontobelieve，fromherconductlately，thatshehascontractedanintimacywithsomeAmericano，andthatinherignorance，herfoolishness，shehasallowedthatmantobelievethathemightaspiretoherhand。Good！Nowlistentome。Youshallstayinherservice。Youshallfindout，——youareinherconfidence，——youshallfindoutthisAmerican，thisadventurer，thisloverifyouplease，oftheDonaJovitamydaughter;andyouwilltellhimthis，——youwilltellhimthataunionwithhimisimpossible，forbidden;thatthehoursheattemptsit，withoutmyconsent，sheisPENNILESS;thatthisestate，thisrancho，passesintothehandsoftheHolyChurch，whereevenyourlawscannotreachit。
Sandy（leaningfamiliarlyoverthetable）。Butsupposethatheseesthatlittlebluff，andcallsye。
DonJose。Idonotcomprehendyou（coldly）。
Sandy。Supposehelovesthatgal，andwilltakeherasshestands，withoutacent，orhideorhairofyeroldcattle。
DonJose（scornfully）。Suppose——amiracle！Harkye，Diego！ItisnowfiveyearssinceIhaveknownyourcountrymen，thesesmartAmericanos。Ihaveyettoknowwhenlove，sentiment，friendship，wasworthanymorethanamoneyvalueinyourmarket。
Sandy（truculentlyanddrunkenly）。Youhev，hevye？Well，lookyar，oleman。SupposeIREFUSE。SupposeI’drathergothanactasaspyonthatyounggalyourdarter！Supposethat——hic——allowin’
she’smyfriend，I’dratherstarveintheguttersoftheMissionthanstandbetweenherandthemanshefancies。Hey？SupposeI
would——damnme！SupposeI’dseeyouandyourdernedoldranchoin——
t’otherplace——hic——damnme。Youhearme，oleman！That’sthekindo’manIam——damnme。
DonJose（aside，risingcontemptuously）。ItisasIsuspected。
Traitor。Ingrate！Satisfiedthathisschemehasfailed，heisreadytoabandonher。Andthis——THISisthemanforwhomshehasbeenreadytosacrificeeverything，——herhome，herfather！（Aloud，coldly。）Beitso，Diego：youshallgo。
Sandy（soberlyandseriously，afterapause。）Well，IreckonIhadbetter。（Rising。）I’veafewduds，oldman，toputup。Itwon’ttakemelong。（GoestoL。，andpauses。）
DonJose（aside）。Ah！hehesitates！Heischanginghismind。
（SANDYreturnsslowlytotable，poursoutglassofliquor，nodstoDONJOSE，anddrinks。）Ilookstowardsye，oleman。Adios！
[ExitSANDY。
DonJose。Hiscoolnessisperfect。IftheseAmericansarecayotesintheiradvances，theyarelionsinretreat！Bueno！Ibegintorespecthim。ButitwillbejustaswelltosetConchototrackhimtotheMission;andIwillseethatheleavestheranchoalone。
[ExitJose。
EnterhurriedlyJOVITACASTRO，inridinghabit，withwhip。
So！Chiquitanotyetsaddled，andthatspyConchohauntingtheplainsforthelasthalf-hour。Whatanairofmystery！Somethingawful，somethingdeliciouslydreadful，hashappened！EithermyamiabledrunkardhasforgottentodespatchConchoonhisusualfool’serrand，orheishimselflyinghelplessinsomeditch。Wasthereeveragirlsopersecuted？Withafatherwrappedinmystery，alovernamelessandshroudedintheobscurityofsomeOlympianheight，andheronlyconfidantandmessengeraBacchusinsteadofaMercury！Heighho！AndinanotherhourDonJuan——hetoldmeI
mightcallhimJohn——willbewaitingformeoutsidetheconventwall！WhatifDiegofailsme？Togotherealonewouldbemadness！
WhoelsewouldbeascharminglyunconsciousandinattentiveasthisAmericanvagabond！（GoestoL。）Ah，mysaddleandblankethidden！
HeHASbeeninterrupted。Someonehasbeenwatching。Thisfreakofmyfather’smeanssomething。Andto-night，ofallnights，thenightthatOakhurstwastodisclosehimself，andtellmeall！Whatistobedone？Hark！（DIEGO，without，singing。）
"Oh，here’syouraguardiente，Drinkitdown！"
Jovita。ItisDiego;and，MotherofGod！drunkagain！
EnterSANDY，carryingpack，intoxicated;staggerstocentre，and，observingJOVITA，takesoffhishatrespectfully。
Jovita（shakinghimbytheshoulderspassionately）。Diego！Howdareyou！Andatsuchatime！
Sandy（withdrunkensolemnity）。MissJovita，didyeeverknowmetobedrunkaforeatsuchatime？
Jovita。No。
Sandy。Zachyso。It’sabnormal。Anditmeans——thegame’sup。
Jovita。Idonotunderstand。FortheloveofGod，Diego，beplain！
Sandy（solemnlyanddrunkenly）。WhenIsayyourgame’sup，Imeantheoldmanknowsitall。You’reblowedupon。Hearken，miss。
（Seriouslyandsoberly。）YourfatherknowsallthatIknow;but，asitwasn’tmybusinesstointerferewith，Ihevsorterhelpedalong。Heknowsthatyoumeetastranger，anAmerican，intheserideswithme。
Jovita（passionately）。Ingrate！Youhavenotdaredtotellhim！
（Seizinghimbythecollar，andthreateninghimwiththehorsewhip。）
Sandy（risingwithhalf-drunken，half-sobersolemnity）。Oneminit，miss！oneminit！Don’tye！don’tyedothat！Efyeforget（andI
don’tblameyeforit），efyeforgetthatI’maman，don’tye，don’tyeforgetthatyou’reawoman！Sityedown，sityedown，so！
Now，efye’llkindlyremember，miss，Ineversawthisyerman，yerlover。Efye’llrecollect，miss，wheneveryoumethim，Iallershungbackandwaitedroundinthemissionorinthefieldsbeyondforye，andallowedyetohevyourownway，itbein’nobusinesso’
mine。Tharisn’tamanontheranch，who，efhe’dhadamindtowatchye，wouldn’thevknownmoreaboutyerloverthanIdo。
Jovita（aside）。Hespeakstruly。Healwayskeptinthebackground。EvenDonJuanneverknewthatIhadanattendantuntilItoldhim。（Aloud。）Imadeamistake，Diego。Iwashasty。WhatamItodo？Heiswaitingformeevennow。
Sandy。Well（withdrunkengravity），efyecan’tgotohim，I
reckonit’sthesquarthingforhimtocometoye。
Jovita。Recollectyourself，Diego。Beaman！
Sandy。FashjuswarIsay。Lethimbeaman，andcometoyehere。
Lethimrideuptothisranchlikeaman，andcallouttoyerfatherthathe’lltakeyejistasyeare，withouttheland。Andiftheoldmanallows，ratherthanhevyemarrythatstranger，he’llgivethisyerplacetothechurch，why，lethimdoit，andbedamned。
Jovita（recoiling，aside）。So！Thatistheirplan。DonJosehasworkedonthefearsorthecupidityofthisdrunkeningrate。
Sandy（withdrunkensubmission）。Yewasspeakingtome，miss。Efye’lltakemyadvice，——adrunkenman’sadvice，miss，——ye’llsaytothatloverofyours，efhe’safeardtocomeforyehere，totakeyeasyestand，heain’tnomanforye。And，ontilhedoes，ye’lldoastheolemansays。FurefIdosayit，miss，——andtharain’tnolovelostbetweenus，——he’sagoodfathertoye。Itain’teverydaythatagalkinaffordtoswapafatherlikethat，assheDOES
KNOW，furthehusbandthatsheDON’T！He’saproudoldfool，miss;
buttoye，toye，he’sclargritallthrough。
Jovita（passionately，aside）。Tricked，fooled，likeachild！andthroughthemeansofthistreacherous，drunkentool。（Stampingherfoot。）Ah！weshallsee！Youarewise，youarewise，DonJose;
butyourdaughterisnotanovice，norahelplesscreatureoftheHolyChurch。（Passionately。）I’ll——I’llbecomeaProtestantto-morrow！
Sandy（unheedingherpassion，andbecomingmoreearnestandself-
possessed）。Efyehedafather，miss，ezinsteado’harkinin’toyourslightestwish，andsurroundin’yewithluxury，hedmadeyourinfancyastruggleforlifeamongstrangers，andyourchildhoodadisgraceandatemptation;efhehadleftyewithnocompanybutwant，withnocompanionsbutguilt，withnomotherbutsuffering;
efhehadmadeyourhome，thishome，sounhappy，sovile，soterrible，soawful，thatthecrowdedstreetsandguttersofagreatcitywassomethingtoflytoforrelief;efhehadmadehispresence，hisveryname，——yourname，miss，allowin’itwasyourfather，——efhehadmadethatpresencesohateful，thatnamesoinfamous，thatexile，thatflyin’tofurrin’parts，thatwanderin’
amongstrangefolksezdidn’tknowye，wastheonlywaytomakelifeendurable;andefhe’dgivenye，——ImeanthisgoodoldmanDonJose，miss，——efhe’dgivenyeaspartofyerheritageataint，aweaknessinyerveryblood，afondnessforapoison，apoisonthatsoothedyelikeavampirebatandsuckedyerlife-blood（seizingherarm）ezitsoothedye;efthiscursethathungoveryedraggedyedowndaybyday，tillhatinghim，loathinghim，yesawyerselfdaybydaybecomingmoreandmorelikehim，tillyeknewthathisfatewasyours，andyourshis，——whythen，MissJovita（risingwithanhysterical，drunkenlaugh），whythen，I’drunawaywithyemyself，——Iwould，damnme！
Jovita（whohasbeenwithdrawingfromhimscornfully）。Wellacted，Diego。DonJoseshouldhaveseenhispupil。Trustme，myfatherwillrewardyou。（Aside。）Andyetthereweretearsinhisdrunkeneyes。Bah！itistheliquor：heisnolongersane。And，eitherhypocriteorimbecile，heistobetrustednolonger。Butwhereandwhyishegoing？（Aloud。）Youareleavingus，Diego。
Sandy（quietly）。Well，theoldmanandmedon’tgetontogether。
Jovita（scornfully）。Bueno！Isee。Thenyouabandonme。
Sandy（quickly）。Totheoldman，miss，——nottheyoungone。（Walkstothetable，andbeginstopouroutliquor。）
Jovita（angrily）。YouwouldnotdaretotalktomethusifJohnOakhurst——ah！（Checkingherself。）
Sandy（dropsglassontable，hurriestocentre，andseizesDONA
JOVITA）。Eh！Wotnamedidyousay？（Looksatheramazedandbewildered。）
Jovita（terrified，aside）。MotherofGod！WhathaveIdone？
Brokenmysacredpledgetokeephisnamesecret。No！No！Diegodidnothearme！Surelythiswretcheddrunkarddoesnotknowhim。
（Aloud。）Nothing。Isaidnothing：Imentionednoname。
Sandy（stillamazed，frightened，andbewildered，passinghishandoverhisforeheadslowly）。Yementionednoname？Surely。Iamwild，crazed。Tellme，miss——yedidn’t，——Iknowyedidn’t，butI
thoughtitsoundedlikeit，——yedidn’tmentionthenameof——of——of——
JohnOakhurst？
Jovita（hurriedly）。No，ofcoursenot！Youterrifyme，Diego。
Youarewild。
Sandy（droppingherhandwithasighofrelief）。No，no！Incourseyedidn’t。Iwaswild，miss，wild;thisdrinkhasconfusedmeyer。（Pointingtohishead。）TherearetimeswhenIhearthatname，miss，——timeswhenIseehisface。（Sadly。）Butit’swhenI’vetooktoomuch——toomuch。I’lldrinknomore——nomore！——
to-night——to-night！（Dropshisheadslowlyinhishands。）
Jovita（lookingatDIEGO——aside）。Really，I’mfeelingveryuncomfortable。I’dliketoaskaquestionofthismaniac。Butnonsense！DonJuangavemetounderstandOakhurstwasn’thisrealname;thatis，heintimatedtherewassomethingdreadfulandmysteriousaboutitthatmustn’tbetold，——somethingthatwouldfrightenpeople。HOLYVIRGIN！ithas！Why，thisrecklessvagabondhereispaleandagitated。DonJuanshallexplainthismysteryto-
night。Butthen，howshallIseehim？Ah，Ihaveit。Thenightofthelastfesta，whenIcouldnotleavetherancho，hebeggedmetoshowalightfromtheflatroofoftheuppercorridor，thathemightknowIwasthinkingofhim，——dearfellow！Hewilllingerto-
nightattheMission;hewillseethelight;hewillknowthatI
havenotforgotten。Hewillapproachtherancho;IshallmanagetoslipawayatmidnighttotheruinedMission。Ishall——ah，itismyfather！HolyVirgin，befriendmenowwithself-possession。
（StandsquietlyatL。，lookingtowardSANDY，whostillremainsburiedinthought，as）——
EnterDONJOSE;regardshisdaughterandDIEGOwithasarcasticsmile。
DonJose（aside）。Bueno！ItisasIexpected，——anexplanation，anexplosion，alover’squarrel，anendtoromance。FromhislooksI
shouldsayshehasbeenteachingtheadventureralesson。Good！I
couldembraceher。（CrossestoSANDY——aloud。）Youstillhere！
Sandy（risingwithastart）。Yes！I——a——IwasonlytakingleaveofMissJovitathathezbinkindtome。She’sagoodgal，oleman，andwon’tbeanytheworsewhenI’mgone。——Good-by，MissJovita（extendinghishand）：Iwishyeluck。
Jovita（coldly）。Adios，friendDiego。（Aside，hurriedly。）Youwillnotexposemysecret？
Sandy（aside）。Itain’tinme，miss。（ToDONJOSE，going。）
Adios，oleman。（Shoulderinghispack。）
DonJose。Adios，friendDiego。（Formally。）Maygoodluckattendyou！（Aside。）Youunderstand，onyourwordas——as——as——A
GENTLEMAN！——youhavenofurthercommunicationwiththisrancho，oraughtthatitcontains。
Sandy（gravely）。Ihearye，oleman。Adios。（Goestogateway，butpausesattable，andbeginstofillaglassofaguardiente。）
DonJose（aside，lookingathisdaughter）。Icouldembracehernow。SheistrulyaCastro。（AloudtoJOVITA。）Harkye，littleone！Ihavenewsthatwillpleaseyou，and——whoknows？perhapsbreakupthemonotonyofthedulllifeoftherancho。To-nightcometometwofamouscaballeros，Americanos，youunderstand：theywillbeheresoon，evennow。Retire，andmakereadytoreceivethem。[ExitJOVITA。
DonJose（aside，lookingatSANDY）。Helingers。IshallnotbesatisfieduntilConchohasseenhimsafelybeyondtheMissionwall。
EnterCONCHO。
Concho。Twocaballeroshavedismountedinthecorral，andseekthehonorofDonJose’spresence。
DonJose。Bueno！（Aside。）FollowthatfellowbeyondtheMission。
（Aloud。）Admitthestrangers。Didtheygivetheirnames？
Concho。Theydid，DonJose，——Col。CulpepperStarbottleandtheDonAlexandroMorton。
Sandy（droppingglassofaguardiente，andstaggeringstupidlytothecentre，confrontingDONJOSEandCONCHO，stillholdingbottle）。
Eh！Wot？Wotnamedidyousay？（LooksstupidlyandamazedlyatCONCHOandDONJOSE，andthenslowlypasseshishandoverhisforehead。Thenslowlyandapologetically。）Iaxesyourpardon，DonJose，andyours，sir（toCONCHO），butIthoughtyecalledme。
No！——thatez——Imean——Imean——I’malittleoffcolorhere（pointingtohishead）。Idon’tfollowsuit——I——eh——eh！Oh！——ye’llpardonme，sir，butthar’snames——perhapsyerdarterwillrememberthatI
wastookabitagoonaname——thar’snamessorterhangin’roundmeyer（pointingtohishead），thatIthinksIhear——butbein’drunk——
Ihopesye’llexcoosme。Adios。（Staggerstogateway，CONCHO
following。）
Concho（aside）。ThereissomethingmoreinthisthanDonJosewouldhaveknown。I’llwatchDiego，andkeepaneyeonMissJovitatoo。
Exit，followingSANDY，who，inexit，jostlesagainstCOL。STARBOTTLE
entering，whostopsandleansexhaustedlyatthewalltogethisbreath;followinghimclosely，andobliviousofSANDYMORTON，ALEXANDERMORTON，sen。EnterCOL。STARBOTTLEandALEXANDERMORTON，sen。
SCENE2。——TheSame。
Col。Starbottle（entering，toDONJOSE）。Overlookingtheinsultof——er——inebriatedindividual，whosemenialpositioninthis——er——
er——householdprecludesademandforpersonalsatisfaction，sir，I
believeIhavethehonorofaddressingDonJoseCastro。Verygood，sir。Permitme，sir，tointroducemyselfasCol。CulpepperStarbottle——demnme！thelegaladviserofMr。AlexanderMorton，sen。，andImayadd，sir，thefriendofthatgentleman，andassuch，sir——er——er——personally——personallyresponsible。
AlexanderMorton（puritanicallyandlugubriously）。AsaGod-
fearingmanandforgivingChristian，Mr。Castro，Itrustyouwilloverlookthehabitualprofanityoftheerringbutwell-meaningman，who，bythenecessitiesofmysituation，accompaniesme。Iamtheperson——ahelplesssinner——mentionedintheletterswhichIbelievehaveprecededme。AsaprofessingmemberoftheCumberlandPresbyterianChurch，Ihaveventured，intheinterestofworksratherthanfaith，tooverlooktheplaindoctrinesofthechurchinclaimingsympathyofasuperstitiousPapist。
Starbottle（interrupting，asidetoALEXANDERMORTON）。Ahem！ahem！
（AloudtoDONJOSE。）Myfriend’smanner，sir，remindsmeof——er——
er——RamBootgumSing，firstsecretaryofTurkishlegationatWashingtonin’45;mostremarkableman——demnme——mostremarkable——
andwarmpersonalfriend。ChallengedTodRobinsonforputtinghimnexttoHebrewbankeratdinner，withremark——demnme——thattheywerebothbelieversintheprofit！he，he！Amusing，perhaps;
irreverent，certainly。Foughtwithcimeters。Secondpass，RamdividedTodintwopieces——fact，sir——justhere（pointing）in——er——
er——regionsofmoralemotions。Upperhalfcalledtome，——saidtomewarningly——lastwords——neverforgetit，——"Star，"——alwayscalledmeStar，——"Respectman’sreligiousconvictions。"Legsdead;
emotionconfinedtoupperpartofbody——patheticpicture。Ged，sir，somethingtoberemembered！
DonJose（withgraveSpanishcourtesy）。Youarewelcome，gentlemen，totheranchooftheBlessedFisherman。Yourletters，withtheirhonorablereport，arehere。Believeme，senores，inyourmodestyyouhaveforgottentomentionyourstrongestclaimtothehospitalityofmyhouse，——theroyalrightofstrangers。
Morton。Angelsbeforethishavebeenentertainedasstrangers，saystheGoodBook;andthat，Itakeit，isyourauthorityforthisceremoniousnesswhichelsewerebutlip-serviceandPapistairs。
ButIamhereintheperformanceofaduty，Mr。Castro，——thedutyofaChristianfather。Iamseekingaprodigalson。Iamseekinghiminhiswine-husksandamonghisharl——
Starbottle（interrupting）。Asinglemoment。（ToDONJOSE。）
Permitmeto——er——er——explain。AsmyfriendMr。Mortonstates，weare，infact，atpresentengagedin——er——er——quest——er——pilgrimagethatpossiblytosome，unlessdeterredbyconsiderationsofresponsibility——personalresponsibility——sir——Ged，sir，mightbelookeduponasvisionary，enthusiastic，sentimental，fanatical。Weareseekingason，or，asmyfriendterselyandscripturallyexpressesit——er——er——prodigalson。Isayscripturally，sir，andtersely，butnot，youunderstandit，literally，norImayadd，sir，legally。Ged，sir，asaprecedent，Iadmitwearewrong。Tothebestofmyknowledge，sir，the——er——ProdigalSonsoughthisownfather。Tobefrank，sir，——andGed，sir，ifCulpepperStarbottlehasafault，itisfrankness，sir。AsNelseBuckthornesaidtomeinNashville，in’47，"Youwouldinfer，Col。Starbottle，thatI
equivocate。"Ireplied，"Ido，sir;andpermitmetoaddthatequivocationhasalltheguiltofalie，withcowardicesuperadded。"
Thenextmorningatnineo’clock，Ged，sir，hegaspedtome——hewaslyingontheground，holethroughhisleftlungjusthere（illustratingwithDONJOSE’Scoat），——hegasped，"Ifyouhaveamerit，Star，aboveothers，itisfrankness！"hislastwords，sir，——demnme……Tobefrank，sir，yearsago，inthewildexuberanceofyouth，thesonofthisgentlemanlefthis——er——er——
er——boyhood’shome，owingtoaninnocentbutnaturalmisunderstandingwiththelegalprotectorofhisyouth——
Morton（interruptinggravelyanddemurely）。Drivenfromhomebymyownsinfulandthenunregeneratehand——
Starbottle（quickly）。Onemoment，asimplemoment。Wewillnotwearyyouwith——er——er——history，orthevagariesofyouth。He——er——
cametoCaliforniain’49。Ayearago，touchedby——er——er——
parentalemotionandsolicitude，myfriendresolvedtoseekhimhere。Believingthatthe——er——er——lawlessnessof——er——er——
untrammelledyouthandboyishinexperiencemighthaveledhimintosometriflingindiscretion，wehavesoughthimsuccessivelyinhospitals，alms-houses，reformatories，State’sprisons，lunaticandinebriateasylums，and——er——er——evenonthemonumentalinscriptionsofthe——er——er——countrychurchyards。Wehavethusfar，Igrievetosay，althoughacquiringmuchandvaluableinformationofavariedcharacterandinterest，asfarasthedirectmatterofoursearch，——
wehavebeen，IthinkImaysay，unsuccessful。Oursearchhasbeenattendedwiththe——er——disbursementofsomecapitalundermy——
er——er——direction，which，thoughlarge，representsquiteinadequatelythe——er——er——earnestnessofourendeavors。
EnterMANUELA。
Manuela（toDONJOSE）。TheDonaJovitaiswaitingtoreceiveyou。
DonJose（toMORTON）。Youshalltellmefurtherofyourinterestingpilgrimagehereafter。Atpresentmydaughterawaitsustoplacethishumbleroofatyourdisposal。Iamawidower，DonAlexandro，likeyourself。WhenIsaythat，likeyou，Ihaveanonlychild，andthatIloveher，youwillunderstandhowearnestismysympathy。
Thisway，gentlemen。（Leadingtodoorincorridor，andawaitingthem。）
Starbottle（aside）。Umph！aninterviewwithlovelywomanmeans——
er——intoxication，but——er——er——noliquor。It’sevidentthattheDondoesn’tdrink。Eh！（Catchessightoftableincorridor，andbottle。）Oh，hedoes，butsomeabsurdSpanishformalitypreventshisdoingthepolitethingbeforedinner。（Aloud，toDONJOSE。）
Onemoment，sir，onemoment。Ifyouwill——er——er——pardonthe——er——
seemingdiscourtesy，forwhichIam，Iadmit——or——personallyresponsible，Iwillforafewmomentsenjoythe——er——er——deliciousairofthecourtyard，andthebeautiesofNatureasdisplayedinthe——er——sunset。Iwill——er——rejoinyouandthe——er——er——ladiesamomentlater。
DonJose。Thehouseisyourown，senor：doasyouwill。Thisway，DonAlexandro。[Exit，indoorL。，DONJOSEandMORTON，sen。
Starbottle。"Doasyouwill。"Well，Idon’tunderstandSpanishceremony，butthat’scertainlygoodEnglish。（Goingtotable。）
Eh！（Smellingdecanter。）RobinsonCountywhiskey！Umph！IhaveobservedthatthespiritofAmericaninstitutions，sir，arealreadypenetratingthe——er——er——superstitionsof——er——foreignandeffetecivilizations。（Poursoutglassofwhiskey，anddrinks;poursagain，andobservesMANUELAwatchinghimrespectfully。）WhattheDevilisthatgirllookingat？Eh！（Putsdownglass。）
Manuela（aside）。Heisfierceandwarlike。MotherofGod！Butheisnotsoawfulasthatgray-hairedcaballero，wholookslikeafastingSt。Anthony。Andhelovesaguardiente：hewillpitypoorDiegothemore。（Aloud。）Ahem！Senor。（Courtesiescoquettishly。）
Col。Starbottle（aside）。Oh，Isee。Ged！notabad-lookinggirl，——
atrifledark，butSouthern，and——er——tropical。Ged，Star，Star，thiswon’tdo，sir;no，sir。ThefilialaffectionsofAeneasarenottobesacrificedthroughtheblandishmentsof——er——Dodo——ImeanaDido。
Manuela。Osenor，youarekind，youaregood。YouareanAmericano，oneofagreatnation。Youwillfeelsympathyforapooryoungman，——ameremuchacho，——oneofyourownrace，whowasavaquerohere，senor。Hehasbeensentawayfromusheredisgraced，alone，hungry，perhapspenniless。（Wipeshereyes。）
Col。Starbottle。TheDevil！Anotherprodigal。（Aloud。）Mydear，thecaseyouhavejuststatedwouldappeartobethe——er——er——
normalconditionofthe——er——youthofAmerica。Butwhywashedischarged？（Pouringoutliquor。）
Manuela（demurelyglancingatthecolonel）。Hewasdrunk，senor。
Starbottle（potently）。Drunkenness，mychild，whichis——er——
weaknessinthe——er——er——gentleman，inthesubordinateisacrime。
What——er——excitesthesocialimpulseandexhilaratesthefancyofthe——er——masterofthehouse，intheperformanceofhisduty，renderstheservantunfitforhis。Legallyitisabreachofcontract。Ishouldgiveitasmyopinion，——forwhichIampersonallyresponsible，——thatyourfriendDiegocouldnotrecover。
Ged！（Aside。）Iwonderifthisscapegoatcouldbeourblacksheep。
Manuela。Butthatwasnotall，senor。Itwasanexcuseonly。Hewassentawayforhelpingouryoungladytoacavalier。Hewasdischargedbecausehewouldnotbeatraitortoher。Hewassentawaybecausehewastoogood，toohonorable，——too——（Burstsoutcrying。）
Starbottle（aside）。Oh，theDevil！THISisnoSandyMorton。
（Comingforwardgravely。）Ihaveneveryetanalyzedthe——er——er——
characteroftheyounggentlemanIhavethehonortoassistinrestoringtohisfamilyandsociety;butjudging——er——calmly——er——
dispassionately，myknowledgeofhisownfather——fromwhattheoldgentlemanmusthavebeeninhisunregeneratestate，andknowingwhatheisnowinhispresentreformedChristiancondition，I
shouldsaycalmlyanddeliberatelythatthesonmustbethemostinfernalandaccomplishedvillainunhung。Ged，Ihaveathought，aninspiration。（ToMANUELA，tappingherunderthechin。）Isee，mydear;alover，ha，ha！Ah，yourogue！Well，well，wewilltalkofthisagain。Iwill——er——er——interestmyselfinthisDiego。
[ExitMANUELA。
Starbottle（solus）。Howwoulditdotogetupaprodigal？Umph。
Somethingmustbedonesoon：theoldmangrowslanguidinhissearch。Mypositionasasinecureis——er——inperil。Aprodigalreadymade！ButcouldIgetascoundrelbadenoughtosatisfytheoldman？Ged，that’sserious。Letmesee：headmitsthatheisunabletorecognizehisownsoninface，features，manner，orspeech。Good！IfIcouldpickupsomerascalwhose——er——
irregularitiesdidn’tquitefillthebill，andcouldsay——Ged！——
thathewasreforming。Reforming！Ged，Star！Thatverydefectwouldshowthehereditarytaint，demnme！Imustthinkofthisseriously。Ged，Star！theideais——aninspirationofhumanityandvirtue。Whoknows？itmightbethesavingofthevagabond，——acrownofglorytotheoldman’sage。Inspiration，didIsay？Ged，Star，it’saDUTY，——asacred，solemnduty，forwhichyouareresponsible，——personallyresponsible。
Lightsdownhalf。EnterfromcorridorL。，MORTON，DONJOSE，theDONAJOVITA，andMANUELA。
DonaJovita（steppingforwardwithexaggeratedSpanishcourtesy）。
AthousandgracesawaityourExcellency，CommanderDon——Don——
Starbottle（bowingtothegroundwithequaldelightandexaggeratedcourtesy）。Er——Coolpepero！
DonaJovita。DonCulpepero！IfwethrowourselvesunaskedatyourExcellency’sfeet（courtesy），ifweappearunsoughtbeforethelightofyourExcellency’seyes（courtesy），ifweerrinmaidenlydecoruminthusseekingunbiddenyourExcellency’spresence（courtesy），believeus，itisthefearofsomegreater，somegraverindecoruminourconductthathaswithdrawnyourExcellency’spersonfromussinceyouhavegracedourroofwithyourcompany。
Weknow，SenorCommander，howsuperiorarethecharmsoftheAmericanladies。Itisinnospiritofrivalrywiththem，buttoshow——MotherofGod！——thatwearenotabsolutelyugly，thatweintrudeuponyourExcellency’ssolitude。（Aside。）Ishallneedtheoldfool，andshallusehim。
Col。Starbottle（whohasbeenbowingandsalutingwithequalextravagance，duringthisspeech——aside）。Ged！sheISbeautiful！
（Aloud。）Permitmeer——er——DonaJovita，tocorrect——Ged，Imustsayit，correcterroneousstatements。Themanwhoshould——er——
utterinmypresenceremarksdisparagingthose——er——charmsitismyprivilegetobehold，Ishouldholdresponsible，——Ged！personallyresponsible。You——er——remindmeofer——incident，triflingperhaps，butpleasing，Charlestonin’52，——areceptionatJohnC。Calhoun’s。
Alady，oneofthedemnedestbeautifulwomenyoueversaw，saidtome，"Star！"——shealwayscalledmeStar，——"you’veavoidedme，youhave，Star！Ifearyouarenolongermyfriend。"——"Yourfriend，madam，"Isaid。"No，I’veavoidedyoubecauseIamyourlover。"
Ged，MissJovita，afact——demnme。Sensation。Husbandheardgarbledreport。Hewasoldfriend，butjealous，rash，indiscreet。
Fellatfirstfire——umph——January5th。Lady——beautifulwoman——
neverforgave：wentintoconvent。Sadaffair。Andallamistake——
demnme，——allamistake，throughperhapsextravagantgallantryandcompliment。Ilingeredhere，obliviousperhapsof——er——beauty，intheenjoymentofNature。
DonaJovita。IsthereenoughforyourExcellencytosharewithme，sinceitmustbemyrival？See，thefogisclearingaway：weshallhavemoonlight。（DONJOSEandMORTONseatthemselvesattable。）
Shallwenotletthesevenerablecaballerosenjoytheirconfidencesandexperiencestogether？（Aside。）DonJosewatchesmelikeafox，doesnotintendtolosesightofme。HowshallIshowthelightthreetimesfromthecourtyardroof？Ihaveit！（TakesSTARBOTTLE’Sarm。）Itistoopleasanttowithdraw。ThereisaviewfromthecourtyardwallyourExcellencyshouldsee。Willyouaccompanyme？Theascentiseasy。
Starbottle（bowing）。Iwillascend，although，permitmetosay，DonaJovita，itwouldbe——er——impossibleformetobenearer——er——
heaven，than——er——atpresent。
DonaJovita。FLATTERER！Come，youshalltellmeaboutthissadladywhodied。Ah，DonCulpepero，letmehopeallyourexperienceswillnotbesofataltous！
[ExeuntDONAJOVITAandSTARBOTTLE。
Morton（aside）。AfrowarddaughterofBaal，and，ifImistakenot，evennowconcoctingmischiefforthisfoolish，indulgent，stiff-
neckedfather。（Aloud。）Youronlydaughter，Ipresume。
DonJose。Mydarling，DonAlexandro。Motherlessfromherinfancy。
Alittlewild，andinclinedtogayety，butIhopenotseekingformorethanthesewallsafford。Ihavecheckedherbutseldom，DonAlexandro，andthenIdidnotletherseemyhandonthereinthatheldherback。Idonotaskherconfidencealways：Ionlywanthertoknowthatwhenthetimecomesitcanbegiventomewithoutfear。
Morton。Umph！
DonJose（leaningforwardconfidentially）。Toshowthatyouhavenotintrustedyourconfidenceregardingyourwaywardson——whommaythesaintsreturntoyou！——tounsympatheticorinexperiencedears，Iwillimpartasecret。AfewweeksagoIdetectedaninnocentintimacybetweenthisfoolishgirlandavagabondvaqueroinmyemploy。Youunderstand，itwasonherpartromantic，visionary;onhis，calculating，shrewd，self-interested，forheexpectedtobecomemyheir。Ididnotlockherup。Ididnottaxherwithit。
Ihumoredit。TodayIsatisfiedtheloverthathisinvestmentwasnotprofitable，thatamarriagewithoutmyconsententailedthelossoftheproperty，andthenleftthemtogether。Theypartedintears，thinkyou，DonAlexandro？No，butmutuallyhatingeachother。Theromancewasover。AnAmericanwouldhaveopposedthegirl，havedrivenhertosecrecy，toanelopementperhaps。Eh？
Morton（scornfully）。Andyoubelievethattheyhaveabandonedtheirplans？
DonJose。Iamsure——hush！sheishere！
Enter，onroofofcorridor，STARBOTTLEandJOVITA。
Col。Starbottle。Really，asuperblandscape！Anadmirableviewofthe——er——fog——rollingovertheMissionHills，theplainsbelow，andthe——er——er——singlefigureof——er——motionlesshorseman——
DonaJovita（quickly）。Somebelatedvaquero。Doyousmoke，SenorCommander？
Starbottle。Attimes。
DonaJovita。Withme。Iwilllightacigaretteforyou：itisthecustom。
COL。STARBOTTLEdrawsmatchfromhispocket，andisabouttolight，butisstoppedbyDONAJOVITA。
DonaJovita。Pardon，yourExcellency，butwecannotendureyourAmericanmatches。Thereisataperinthepassage。
COL。STARBOTTLEbringstaper：DONAJOVITAturnstolightcigarette，butmanagestoblowoutcandle。
DonaJovita。Imusttryyourgallantryagain。ThatisonceIhavefailed。（Significantly。）
COL。STARBOTTLErelightscandle，business，sameresults。
DonaJovita。Iamstupidandnervousto-night。Ihavefailedtwice。（Withemphasis。）
COL。STARBOTTLErepeatsbusinesswithcandle。DONAJOVITAlightscigarette，handsittothecolonel。
DonaJovita。Thrice，andIhavesucceeded。（Blowsoutcandle。）
Col。Starbottle。Athousandthanks！Thereisa——er——er——lightontheplain。
DonaJovita（hastily）。Itisthevaquerosreturning。Myfathergivesafestatopeonsinhonorofyourarrival。Therewillbeadance。Youhavebeenpatient，SenorCommander：youshallhavemyhandforawaltz。
Entervaqueros，theirwivesanddaughters。Adance，duringwhichthe"sembicanca"isdancedbyCOL。STARBOTTLEandDONAJOVITA。
Business，duringwhichthebellofMissionChurch，faintlyilluminatedbeyondthewall，strikestwelve。Dancerswithdrawhurriedly，leavingaloneMANUELA，DONAJOVITA，COL。STARBOTTLE，DON
JOSE，andCONCHO。CONCHOformallyhandskeystoDonJose。
DonJose（deliveringkeystoMORTONwithstatelyimpressiveness）。
Takethem，DonAlexandroMorton，andwiththemallthattheyunlockforblissorbale。Takethem，nobleguest，andwiththemthehomageofthisfamily，——to-night，DonAlexandro，yourhumbleservants。Good-night，gentlemen。Mayathousandangelsattendyou，ODonAlexandroandDonCulpepero！
DonaJovita。Good-night，DonAlexandro。Mayyourdreamsto-nightseeallyourwishesfulfilled！Good-night，OSenorCommander。Maysheyoudreamofbeashappyasyou！
ManuelaandConcho（together）。Good-night，Osenoresandillustriousgentlemen！maytheBlessedFishermanwatchoveryou！
（Bothpartiesretreatintooppositecorridors，bowing。）
MANUELA，CONCHO，MORTON，DONJOSE。JOVITA。STARBOTTLE。
SCENE3。——Thesame。Stagedarkened。Fogpassingbeyondwalloutside，andoccasionallyobscuringmoonlitlandscapebeyond。
EnterJOVITAsoftly，fromcorridorL。HerfaceispartlyhiddenbySpanishmantilla。
Jovita。Allquietatlast;and，thankstomuchaguardiente，mywarlikeadmirersnorespeacefullyabove。YetIcouldswearIheardtheoldPuritan’sdoorcreakasIdescended！Pshaw！Whatmatters！
（Goestogateway，andtriesgate。）Locked！Carramba！Iseeitnow。Underthepretextofrevivingtheoldceremony，DonJosehaslockedthegates，andplacedmeinthecustodyofhisguest。Stay！
ThereisadoorleadingtothecorralfromthepassagebyConcho’sroom。Bueno！DonJoseshallsee！[ExitR。
EntercautiouslyR。OLDMORTON。
OldMorton。Iwasnotmistaken！ItwastheskirtofthatJezebeldaughterthatwhiskedpastmydooramomentago，andherfigurethatflitteddownthatcorridor。So！TheloverdrivenoutofthehouseatfourP。M。，andattwelveo’clockatnighttheyoungladytryingthegatesecretly。ThismaybeSpanishresignationandfilialsubmission，butitlooksverylikeYankeedisobedienceandforwardness。Perhapsit’swellthatthekeysareinmypocket。
ThisfondconfidingPapistmayfindthehereticAmericanfatherofsomeservice。（Concealshimselfbehindpillarofcorridor。）
AfterapausetheheadofJOHNOAKHURSTappearsoverthewallofcorridor：heclimbsuptoroofofcorridor，anddescendsveryquietlyanddeliberatelytostage。
Oakhurst（dustinghisclothingwithhishandkerchief）。IneverknewbeforewhytheseSpaniardscoveredtheiradobewallswithwhitewash。（Leansagainstpillarinshadow。）
Re-enterJOVITA，hastily。
Jovita。Allislost;thecorraldoorislocked;thekeyisoutside，andConchoisgone，——gonewhere？MadrediDios！todiscover，perhapstokillhim。
Oakhurst（approachingher）。No。
Jovita。Juan！（Embracinghim。）Buthowdidyougethere？Thisismadness！
Oakhurst。Asyoudidnotcometothemission，Icametotherancho。Ifoundthegatelocked——bytheway，isnotthatanoveltyhere？——Iclimbedthewall。Butyou，MissCastro，youaretrembling！
Yourlittlehandsarecold！
Jovita（glancingaround）。Nothing，nothing！Butyouarerunningaterriblerisk。Atanymomentwemaybediscovered。
Oakhurst。Iunderstandyou：itwouldbebadforthediscoverer。
Neverfear，Iwillbepatient。
Jovita。ButIfearedthatyoumightmeetConcho。
Oakhurst。Concho——Concho——（meditatively）。Letmesee，——tall，dark，longinthearm，weighsaboutonehundredandeighty，andactive。
Jovita。Yes;tellme！Youhavemethim？
Oakhurst。Possibly，possibly。Washeafriendofyours？
Jovita。No！
Oakhurst。That’sbetter。Arehispursuitsheresedentary，oractive？
Jovita。Heismyfather’smajor-domo。
Oakhurst。Isee：asinecure。（Aside。）Well，ifhehastolayupforaweekortwo，theranchowon’tsuffer。
Jovita。Well？
Oakhurst。Well！
Jovita（passionately）。There，havingscaledthewall，attheriskofbeingdiscovered——thisisallyouhavetosay！（Turningaway。）
Oakhurst（quietly）。Perhaps，Jovita（takingherhandwithgraveearnestness），toaclandestineintimacylikeoursthereisbutoneend。Itisnotmerelyelopement，notmerelymarriage，itisexposure！SoonerorlateryouandImustfacetheeyeswenowshun。Whatmattersiftonightorlater？
Jovita（quickly）。Iamready。Itwasyouwho——
Oakhurst。ItwasIwhofirstdemandedsecrecy，butitwasIwhotoldyouwhenwelastmetthatIwouldtellyouwhyto-night。
Jovita。Iamready;buthearme，Juan，nothingcanchangemyfaithinyou！
Oakhurst（sadly）。Youknownotwhatyousay。Listen，mychild。I
amagambler。Notthemanwholavisheshisfortuneatthegaming-
tableforexcitement’ssake;notthefanaticwhostakeshisownearnings——perhapstheconfidedearningsofothers——onasinglecoup。No，heisthemanwholoses，——whomtheworlddeplores，pities，andforgives。Iamthemanwhowins——whomtheworldhatesanddespises。
Jovita。Idonotunderstandyou，Juan。
Oakhurst。Somuchthebetter，perhaps。Butyoumusthearme。I
makeaprofession——anoccupationmoreexacting，morewearying，morelaborious，thanthatofyourmeanestherdsman——ofthatwhichothersmakeadissipationofthesenses。Andyet，Jovita，thereisnotthemeanestvaquerointhisranch，who，playingagainstme，winningorlosing，isnotheldtobemysuperior。Ihavenofriends——onlyconfederates。Eventhewomanwhodarestopitymemustdoitinsecret。
Jovita。Butyouwillabandonthisdreadfultrade。AsthesonoftherichDonJose，noonedarescornyou。Myfatherwillrelent。
Iamhisheiress。
Oakhurst。Nomore，Jovita，nomore。IfIwerethemanwhocouldpurchasetheworld’srespectthroughawoman’sweaknessforhim，I
shouldnotbehereto-night。Iamnotheretosueyourfather’sdaughterwithhopesofforgiveness，promisesofreformation。
Reformation，inamanlikeme，meanscowardiceorself-interest。
（OLDMORTON，becomingexcited，leansslowlyoutfromtheshadowofthepillar）listeningintently。）Iamheretotake，byforceifnecessary，agambler’swife，——thewomanwhowillsharemyfortunes，mydisgrace，mylosses;whoiswillingtoleaveheroldlifeofindulgence，ofluxury，ofrespectability，formine。Youarefrightened，littledove：composeyourself（soothinghertenderlyandsadly）;youarefrightenedatthecruelhawkwhohaschosenyouforamate。
OldMorton（aside）。Godinheaven！ThisislikeHIM！likeme！——
likeme，beforetheblessedLordliftedmeintoregeneration。Ifitshouldbe！（Leansforwardanxiouslyfrompillar。）
Oakhurst（aside）。Stillsilent！Poordove，Icanhearherfoolishheartflutteragainstmine。Anothermomentdecidesourfate。
Anothermoment：JohnOakhurstandfreedom，orRedGulchand——sheismoving。（ToJOVITA。）Iamharsh，littleone，andcold。PerhapsI
havehadmuchtomakemeso。Butwhen（withfeeling）Ifirstmetyou;when，liftingmyeyestothechurch-porch，Isawyourbeautifulface;when，insheerrecklessnessandbravado，Iraisedmyhattoyou;whenyou——you，Jovita——liftedyourbraveeyestomine，andthere，thereinthesanctuary，returnedmysalute，——thesalutationofthegambler，theoutcast，thereprobate，——then，thenIsworethatyoushouldbemine，ifItoreyoufromthesanctuary。
Speaknow，Jovita：ifitwascoquetry，speaknow;Iforgiveyou：ifitwassheerwantonness，speaknow;Ishallspareyou：butif——
Jovita（throwingherselfinhisarms）。Love，Juan！Iamyours，nowandforever。（Pause。）Butyouhavenottoldmeall。Iwillgowithyouto-night——now。Ileavebehindmeall，——myhome，myfather，my——（pause）myname。Youhaveforgotten，Juan，youhavenottoldmewhatIchangeTHATfor：youhavenottoldmeYOURS。
OLDMORTON，ineagerexcitement，leansbeyondshadowofpillar。
Oakhurst（embracinghertenderly，withasmile）。IfIhavenottoldyouwhoIam，itwasbecause，darling，itwasmoreimportantthatyoushouldknowwhatIam。Nowthatyouknowthat——why——
（embarrassedly）Ihavenothingmoretotell。IdidnotwishyoutorepeatthenameofOakhurst——because——（aside）howtheDevilshallI
tellherthatOakhurstwasmyrealname，afterall，andthatIonlyfearedshemightdivulgeit？——（aloud）because——because——
（determinedly）Idoubtedyourabilitytokeepasecret。Myrealnameis——（looksup，andseesMORTONleaningbeyondpillar）isasecret。（Pause，inwhichOAKHURSTslowlyrecovershiscoolness。）
Itwillbegiventothegoodpriestwhoto-nightjoinsourfateforever，Jovita，——forever，inspiteofcalumny，opposition，orSPIES！thepadrewhomweshallreach，ifenoughliferemainsinyourpulseandminetoclaspthesehandstogether。（Afterapause。）Areyoucontent？
Jovita。Iam。
Oakhurst。Thenthereisnotamomenttolose。Retire，andprepareyourselfforajourney。Iwillwaithere。
Jovita。Iamreadynow。
Oakhurst（lookingtowardpillar）。Pardon，mydarling：therewasabracelet——ameretrifle——Ioncegaveyou。Itisnotonyourwrist。
Iamatriflesuperstitious，perhaps：itwasmyfirstgift。Bringitwithyou。Iwillwait。Go！
[ExitJOVITA。
OAKHURSTwatchesherexit，loungesindifferentlytowardgate;whenoppositepillar，suddenlyseizesMORTONbythethroat，anddragshimnoiselesslytocentre。
Oakhurst（hurriedly）。Oneoutcry，——asingleword，——anditisyourlast。IcarenotwhoYOUmaybe！——whoIam，——youhaveheardenoughtoknow，atleast，thatyouareinthegripofadesperateman。
（KeysfallfromMORTON’Shand。OAKHURSTseizesthem。）Silence！onyourlife。
Morton（struggling）。Youwouldnotdare！Icommandyou——
Oakhurst（dragginghimtogateway）。Outyoumustgo。
Morton。Stop，Icommandyou。IneverturnedMYfatheroutofdoors！
Oakhurst（gazingatMORTON）。ItisanOLDman！Ireleaseyou。Doasyouwill，onlyrememberthatthatgirlismineforever，thatthereisnopoweronearthwillkeepmefromher。
Morton。Onconditions。
Oakhurst。Whoareyouthatmakeconditions？Youarenot——herfather？
Morton。NobutIamYOURS！AlexanderMorton，Ichargeyoutohearme。