Beatriz

What extraordinary tales!

Angela

You have not even heard the most remarkable part! Where were we?

Beatriz

You had just passed through the cupboard into their room. It is difficult to imagine that it was so easy to open the cupboard, write him a note, and find the answer the following day.

Angela

I tell you honestly, I have never seen such a courtly and gallant style, mixing the humorous with the astonishing, imitating knights errant to whom such adventures were commonplace. This, Beatriz, is the letter. I hope you like it.

(Reads.) “Most beauteous damsel, in whatever way you may have been aggrieved by this, your faithful servant, may you lessen his hardships by your ample piety. Pray make known to me the identity of the evil malefactor or pagan conjurer who imprisons you in this enchantment, such that, now that my earlier wounds have healed, I might present myself as your defender in single and terrible combat, even though I may perish in the pursuit. Life is no better than death, if a knight have not honor. May the giver of light hold you safe and forget me not. The Knight of the Phantom Lady.”

Beatriz

My heavens! What a style, with the language of enchantment and adventure!

Angela

I waited for this note with the greatest fear and doubt, but when I found in him a willingness to proceed, I decided to continue in the same fashion. By way of answer, I sent...

Beatriz

Wait, go no further. Your brother Juan is coming.

Angela

He comes no doubt to express his pleasure at your visit, Beatriz. As a faithful suitor, he welcomes you to his house.

Beatriz

I am not unhappy about that, if truth be told.

Enter Juan.

Juan

Every cloud has a silver lining, according to the old adage. In this case it is quite true, for the clouds of your troubles have given rise to a silver lining for me. Lovely Beatriz, I have discovered that a problem that you have with your father has brought you, without joy or pleasure, to our house. I deeply regret that my happiness in seeing you should come at the expense of your ill fortune. It is not right that I should be so elated because of your misery. But love today produces various effects: unhappiness for you, ecstasy for me. It’s just like the snake that has not only venom but also the antidote to treat it. You are most welcome here. Although your stay may be short, it’s always a joy to see the sun accompanied by an angel.

Beatriz

You have so thoroughly confused your welcome with your regrets that I know not how to respond. It is true I come because of my father. You were to blame. Although he does not know it was you, he does know that I spoke with someone from the balcony last night. While he gets over his rage, he wishes me to spend time with my cousin, taking refuge in the great confidence he has in her. This alone shall I tell you; let this suffice. I, too, can find good in ill. Love causes contradictory effects in me as well. Just as the sun, when it sends forth its beautiful rays, causes one flower to bloom and another to wither, so too does love wound my heart at the same time that I most happy to find myself in your house, which has always been like a glittering diamond, outshining the sun, a worthy setting for an angel.

Angela

How clearly one sees the riches you two take from love. By merely standing near you, I too receive a windfall of affection.

Juan

Do you know what I think, Angela? Just to avenge the problems that my houseguest has caused you, you cunningly invited a houseguest of your own, one sure to cause me no end of grief.

Angela

You speak truly, but I have done so only so that you may shower her with gifts.

Juan

I am exceedingly pleased with your punishment. (He starts to leave.)

Beatriz

What are you doing, Juan? Where are you going?

Juan

Beatriz, to serve you. Only the obligation to serve you could make me leave.

Angela

Let him go.

Juan

Until we meet again. (Exit.)

Angela

If he thinks he caused me troubles with his houseguest, he is quite right. But they will be no less than the troubles he creates for himself because of you. I hope to use our guest to take away all our troubles. That way, guest for guest, we shall be even.

Beatriz

I still want to know more about your guest!

1218 Angela

To make a long story short, notes, both mine and his, came and went. His were so remarkable, I’ve never seen such a hodgepodge of truth and lies.

Beatriz

And in the end, what does he make of the situation?

Angela

He believes that I must be Luis’s lady since I was hiding from him but I have the key to his house.

Beatriz

There is only one more problem I see.

Angela

What is that?

Beatriz

How is it possible that this gentleman, seeing that someone is bringing and taking away papers, has not spied you or, worse, caught you red-handed?

Angela

That is not so hard to explain. At the door to his room I station a servant who lets me know who enters and who leaves. Thus, Isabel does not go through the cupboard until I know that no one is in the room. That poor servant has spent an entire day watching, all in vain. Oh! But while I’m thinking of Isabel, would you mind taking her this basket. It’s just about time.

Beatriz

One more doubt: How is it possible that you praise this gentleman as so intelligent when he has not been able to figure out the secret of the cupboard?

Angela

Surely you’ve heard of the egg, that more than one genius tried to stand on its end, and along came a simple man who gave it just one tap and it stood right up? The greatest problems are just that until they are solved. If one knows the trick, everything is easy.

Beatriz

Another question.

Angela

What?

Beatriz

What do you hope to gain by such tomfoolery?

Angela

I’m not sure. I should say I would like to appear grateful for his help, but unfortunately I have become a bit jealous of a portrait of a lady that he has with him. I am of a mind to enter and seize it at the first opportunity. I know not how else to say that I am determined to enter so that he may see me and speak to me.

Beatriz

And recognize you for who you are?

Angela

May the saints protect me! I should say not! A friend would not commit such treason to a guest. Just the thought that I am his host’s lady makes his writing to me timid, courtly, confused, and cowardly. I certainly do not wish to make the situation worse.

Beatriz

Then how is he to see you?

Angela

Listen, and I shall tell you the most astonishing plan by which I run no risk of being caught in his room. He will come here, but he will not know how.

Isabel

Add another brother to the mix. Here comes Luis.

Angela

I’ll tell you later.

Beatriz

How fickle are the fortunes of love! How curious that heaven should in equal measure throw up such obstacles. The same desire pleases one and annoys the other. Let us go. I do not want Luis to speak to me here.

She begins to exit; Luis enters.

Luis

Why are you leaving?

Beatriz

Because you entered.

Luis

The most beautiful, the purest light ever captured from the sun flees because I enter? Am I the dark of night? May your beauty forgive me if I tarry here, bold and discourteous, to beseech a favor from you that you will not grant. Knowing of your cruelty, my desire cannot hope that even the smallest courtesy may be well received. I realize that my foolish love finds not one atom of hope in your disdain. But in the face of such rejection, I must persist in loving you. You shall give me greater glory, even when you offer me more tribulation, for as much as you detest me, that much more shall I love you. If this makes you unhappy, that the two of us should end up sharing a single love, then, between the extremes of passion and despair, learn to love or teach me to hate. You will teach me cruelty; I shall teach you generosity. You will teach me bitterness; I shall teach you sweetness. You, disdain; I, love. You, indifference; I, the firmest faith. For it is better, and gives greater glory to love that you should be indifferent for the both of us than that I should love for the both of us.

Beatriz

Your complaints are so sweet that, although I should like to be swayed by your troubles, I cannot just because you speak them.

Luis

You treat me so badly, from you have I learned the language of despair.

Beatriz

It is good that you continue, for in such a manner will your eloquent disdain cure your impertinent disposition. (She begins to leave; Luis stops her.)

Luis

You have your revenge, now let us both suffer.

Beatriz

I cannot listen to you more. For God’s sake, cousin, stop him. (Exit.)

Angela

You have so little valor that you should want to hear and see such a thing?

Luis

Oh, Angela! What am I to do?

Angela

Forget Beatriz. To love someone who hates you is not love but death.

Exit Angela with Isabel.

Luis

How can I forget her if I still suffer? That is the problem. Tell her to do me a small favor, and I shall forget her with great appreciation. Even the most prudent, the wisest man gives words to his feelings, but I cannot abandon her in my misery. If one can forget a favor more easily, it is because a favor does not sting with the same intensity as an insult.

Luis leaves the room and enters a patio, where he runs into Rodrigo.

Rodrigo

What’s going on with you?

Luis

I have no idea.

Rodrigo

You look so sad. Will you not tell me the cause?

Luis

I spoke with Beatriz.

Rodrigo

Say no more. I can see in your face how it went. But, where is she? I have not seen her.

Luis

The vixen is a houseguest of my sister for a few days, just so that my problems with guests will be complete. Every day it seems my brother or my sister conspires against me to bring someone else to our house. Whoever they bring, it is bad for me. Manuel..., you know the story. Now with Beatriz, the heavens have decided to bring jealousy into the house as well.

Rodrigo

Careful! Manuel might hear you; here he comes.

Enter Manuel.

Manuel (Aside)

Am I, alone in all the world, the target of such prodigious misfortune? What shall I do to extract myself from these deceptions? How shall I find out once and for all whether this woman is Luis’s lady, and how she has had the wit and the ability to carry out such intrigues?

Luis

Manuel.

Manuel

Luis.

Luis

Where are you coming from in such a good mood?

Manuel

The palace.

Luis

I should have known better than to ask a pretender at court about his goings and comings. The palace is clearly the center of your universe.

Manuel

If I only went to court, I would be in less of a hurry. But my affairs have taken on a certain urgency. His Majesty has left this afternoon for the palace at Escorial, and now it is of the utmost importance that I follow him.

Luis

If I can be of any assistance, you know that you may count on me.

Manuel

I thank you greatly for all you have done for me.

Luis

It is not just a courtesy, I assure you.

Manuel

I see you wish me well in my pursuits.

Luis

So true… (Aside) (…and the sooner you leave the better.)

Manuel

But it is not right to take a gentleman such as yourself away from his affairs. I know for a fact that there is something, or someone, of importance to you here. It would be most unfair to take you away.

Luis

Had you overhead my conversation with Rodrigo, you might think differently.

Manuel

Am I mistaken?

Luis

Quite so. Although it is true that I weep on account of the cruelty of a great beauty, her disdain for me causes me as much torment as her favors.

Manuel

Are you in such despair?

Luis

I love a great beauty, but without luck or hope of success.

Manuel

Are you joking?

Luis

I would to heaven that I were. But I was born under such an unlucky star that this beauty flees from me as the veil of night hurries from the lovely light of day, in whose rays I burn. Would you like to know how extreme my misfortune is? Just so that I might not be able to follow her, someone stopped me and kept me from her. Tell me if anyone has worse luck than mine. Most men use go-betweens to help them spend time with their ladies. She uses go-betweens to avoid me.

Exeunt Luis and Rodrigo

Manuel

What more does he need to declare? A woman who fled from his sight? Another person who interrupted him and kept him from her? He is clearly talking about her and me. At least I have solved part of the puzzle. I now see that she is not his lady, because he would not be so miserable without her if she lived in his own house. But this makes the enigma even greater. If she is not his lady and if she does not live in his house, how then does she write to me? One doubt dies and another is born. What shall I do? This is a confusion of confusions. God protect us from women.

Enter Cosme.

Cosme

Sir, what has happened to our spook? Have you by any chance seen him around here? As long as I know he is not in our room, I’m happy.

Manuel

Quiet.

Cosme

But I have so much to do in our room, and I can’t enter.

Manuel

Why not?

Cosme

I’m afraid.

Manuel

A man should be afraid?

Cosme

No, he shouldn’t be, but here I am anyway, and for good reason, too.

Manuel

Please stop your witty remarks, and bring a light, because I have to get ready and write some letters. Tonight I leave Madrid.

Cosme.

That’s interesting. Sounds to me like you’re afraid too.

Manuel

I have told you before that I pay no attention to you. I have other things on my mind, and here you are just wasting my time. When I say good-bye to Juan, fetch a lamp. (Exit.)

Cosme

Indeed I shall, and I’ll shed some light on the ghost, too, and not a moment too soon. There’s bound to be a match around here. I’ll just light up that lamp over there. I’m really on top of things now, if only I could stop shaking with fear.

Exit.

[Manuel’s room]

Enter Isabel through the cupboard with a covered basket.

Isabel

They are all out of the house, according to the servant. I have to put this basket of clean linens in the designated place. Heavens! It’s so dark tonight that I’m afraid of my own presence. My God, I’m trembling, and I must be the first spirit ever who swears to God! I cannot find the desk. But what’s this? With my mind in a turmoil and my heart full of fear, I’ve lost my bearing in this room. I have no idea where I am. Where is the table? What am I to do? Oh, no! If I am not able to get out and they find me here, the whole elaborate plan will fall apart. I am greatly afraid, and even more now that I hear someone opening the door. The game is over. I can neither hide nor find my way out.

Enter Cosme with a lamp.

Cosme

Oh, spirit, my master, if perhaps my pleas do not fall on the deaf ears of a high-born spook, I humbly beseech you not to remember me in your enchantments. I ask you this for four reasons. (Cosme walks around the stage with Isabel hiding from him by following behind him.) First, I know why; second, you know why; third, everyone knows why; fourth, here’s a poem I just remembered:

            Ghost lady, ghost lady,
            please have pity upon me! 
            I am just a young lad,
            and hope that safe I’ll be.

Isabel (Aside)

Now with the light I can reconnoiter the room. He still hasn’t seen me. If I put the light out I know I can escape while he tries to relight it. He may hear some noise, but at least he won’t see me. At this point, I’ll take what I can get.

Cosme

Fear has made me a pretty good poet!

Isabel (Aside)

Here we go!

Isabel strikes Cosme and extinguishes the candle.

Cosme

My God, she’s killed me. Call a priest! Confession!

Isabel

Now’s my chance to escape!

Isabel begins to leave when Manuel enters.

Manuel

What is going on here? Cosme, what are you doing here in the darkness?

Cosme

The spirit has killed us both: the light with a puff of air, me with a crushing blow!

Manuel

Your fear causes you to imagine things.

Cosme

Then my imagination will be the death of me!

Isabel (Aside)

Oh, if only I could find the door!

Manuel

Who is there?!

Isabel bumps into Manuel; he ends grabs the basket of linens.

Isabel (Aside)

This is going from bad to worse. Now I run into his master.

Manuel

Cosme, go get a light. I have the intruder in my grasp.

Cosme

Don’t let him go!

Manuel

I won’t, but hurry!

Exit Cosme.

Isabel (Aside)

He took my basket; well, he can have it. There’s the cupboard! At last!

Exit Isabel; Manuel is left holding the basket.

Manuel

Whoever you are, be still until there is light. If not, by heaven, I shall have to run you through with my dagger. But, there is nothing here but something lightweight, something with linens in it. What on earth? My God, I have never been so confused!

Enter Cosme with a light.

1611 Cosme

Let’s see this phantom in the light! But, where is he? Didn’t you have him captive? What happened? Where is he? Sir, what in the devil is going on?

Manuel

I cannot answer. He left me these linens, then fled.

Cosme

And what do you make of this situation? You just now said that you had him in control, and he vanished!

Manuel

I must admit that that person, who enters and leaves with extraordinary guile and cunning, was in fact captured here tonight. But, in order to escape, he blew out your light, left me with this basket, and fled.

Cosme

How?

Manuel

Through the door.

Cosme

You are driving me mad. I saw him in the dying light of my candle.

Manuel

What did he look like?

Cosme

He was a little, bitty monk, wearing a great big hood. That’s why I think our spook must be a Capuchin friar.

Manuel

The things fear drives one to! Bring the light. Let’s see what our little friar left us. Here, hold this basket.

Cosme

You want me to hold this basket from hell?

Manuel

Just be quiet and hold it.

Cosme

My hands are dirty, Sir, from the candle wax. I’ll surly soil the fine linen that covers it. Perhaps you should put it on the floor!

Manuel

It’s fresh linens… and a note! Let’s see if our friar is discreet:

(Reads) “In the brief time that you have lived in this house, no one has yet brought you fresh linens. As they are made ready, they will be brought to you. Regarding your supposition about your friend, since you are sure that I am Luis’s lady, I can assure you that not only am I not his lady, but that I cannot be. I leave the rest for when we meet, which will be soon. God be with you.”

Well, at least the spirit is a Christian, since he speaks of God!

Cosme

You see? A religious spirit!

Manuel

It’s getting late. Collect all these suitcases and cushions, and put these papers with them (He gives him some papers). They are the reason we are here at court. But first I intend to send an answer to our spirit.

Cosme puts the papers on a chair; Manuel writes.

Cosme

I’ll put them right here so that I won’t forget them and they’ll be right at hand. But I have to rest a moment. Tell me one thing: do you believe in ghosts?

Manuel

What foolishness!

Cosme

Foolishness? You yourself can see the effects. You’re sitting there with a letter that came to you out of nowhere, and still you doubt? Fine, if that makes you happy. As for me, I’m a believer; I’ve suffered the most,

Manuel

How so?

Cosme

Just look at us. If they rifle through our clothing, you laugh at the intrusion, but I have to repack everything, which is no small job. If they leave you papers, you’re impressed by the wit. Me, they leave coals and take my money. If they bring you sweets, you’re as pleased as a father to accept them. I get nothing, and I’m hungry as a wolf. They give you fine shirts and handkerchiefs of linen. I get nothing but scary surprises. We both came to this room at about the same time, but you get a basket of clean linens, smelling as sweet as springtime. I get a slap in the face, a blow so hard and strong that I practically spit up my brains. All the pleasure and the profit go to you; the pain and suffering are all mine. The ghost treats you with kid gloves; I get the brass knuckles. So just let me believe what I will. There is nothing more painful to watch than a man who won’t believe what’s happening right before his eyes.

Manuel

Just pack the suitcases, so we may go. I shall wait for you in Juan’s room

Cosme

What is there to pack? Everyone dresses in black, just as you are already. All you need is a black cloak.

Manuel

Leave the room locked and take the key with you. If I need the key, Juan has another one. I hate to leave in such confusion, not knowing the truth of the matter. But the honor of my estate and my chances at court take precedence over an idle curiosity. Indeed, honor trumps everything else.

Exeunt.

[Angela’s room]

Enter Angela, Beatriz, and Isabel.

Angela

It happened just like that?

Isabel

I saw the whole artifice going up in flames. If he had seen me, it would have been necessary to confess everything. As it turned out, I was able to escape in the manner I just related.

Angela

Amazing!

Beatriz

It is simply incredible to think that you could give a man a basket of linens without his seeing you!

Angela

If after all this I am able to arrange for him to see me as we planned, I have no doubt that he will surely lose his mind.

Beatriz

Even the most serious person would be astonished by these goings-on, Angela. You want to call him to a place without telling him where so that he can find himself with a beautiful lady, rich and famous, without knowing who she is or where she is from. Then, cloaked and blind, he is to be led away to stew in his confusion. This is what comes out of that head of yours? I am in awe!

Angela

Everything is just as you said. But since you are here with me, tonight will not be the night of our meeting.

Beatriz

I can keep the secret of your love!

Angela

No, cousin, that’s not the reason. With you in our house, and with my brothers buzzing about you hopelessly in love, idolizing the very ground you walk on, it would be entirely too risky. I’ll have to wait until they leave.

Enter Luis, who eavesdrops from the side of the stage.

Luis (Aside)

Good God! Who can suppress his desires? Who can rein in his thoughts, control his tongue, and imprison his feelings? Since I am beside myself, surely I cannot. But let me try to conquer my passion. I shall just watch from here.

Beatriz

Let me tell you how to get rid of them but still let me be present. I would hate to miss the conclusion of this marvelous adventure.

Angela

Do tell me!

Luis (Aside)

What are these two scheming? My heart is in my throat with anticipation.

Beatriz

We shall both say that my father has sent for me, and we shall make a great show of my leaving, but secretly I shall hide in the house and no one will know I am here.

Luis (Aside)

Heavens, what is this that threatens the honor of this house?

Beatriz

Under the cover of secrecy, I shall be able to see what happens.

1791 Luis (Aside)

Oh, cruel fortune!

Beatriz

I look so forward to it!

Angela

But what do we say in order to bring you out of hiding?

Beatriz

I am shocked you would ask! No doubt we can think of something later!

Luis (Aside)

No doubt. That I should have to listen to this! The torment and suffering surpass all limits.

Beatriz

This way, in secret and with no witnesses, I shall see you fulfill your love. With me hidden and the household unsuspecting, he will have no trouble passing from his room to yours.

Luis (Aside)

It is easy to infer her intention. What a coward I am! I am undone! Would that I had never listened! My fortunate brother deserves Beatriz more. But what jealousy! She prefers to offer herself to him and thus quench both their desires. Thus she arranges for him to pass from his room to hers without anyone noticing. I can scarcely contain my anger! And so that no one might be a witness they succeed in making real my suspicions. My enemies want to keep the secret from me! By God, if that is the way it is, I shall not allow it. The next time that she is hidden, hoping for another meeting, I shall keep close watch over the entire house until I find her. The fires of jealousy that consume me allow for no alternative. Placing obstacles in their way is the last refuge of the jealous man. Holy saints protect me! Consumed by love, I’m dying of jealousy. (Exit.)

Angela

Everything is set up. Tomorrow we shall announce your departure.

Enter Juan.

Juan

Angela! And the lovely Beatriz!

Beatriz

Just the man we were hoping to see.

Juan

If my absence causes you to enjoy my presence even more, then may you miss me more often, madam. I am suspicious, no, envious, of my own good luck. It is simply not possible that I deserve your affection. Envious and envied, I fall into such a sweet abyss that I both envy and pity myself.

Beatriz

It would not be right to contradict such sweet arguments, Juan, from one who has put off seeing me for so long as to have forgotten me. Is there any doubt that you were engaged in your own amusements? It must be so, for you profess both to envy and pity your good fortune, while at the same time you cast aside the beauty that gives you such pleasure. Your clear and convincing syllogism proves your pity and your envy.

Juan

If it would not offend both you and me, Beatriz, I would tell you that I have been with my guest, Manuel, who has left us tonight.

Angela

Really?

Juan

You are surprised, sister?

Angela

A pleasure startles as much as a displeasure.

Juan

I regret that your heart’s desire has not been fulfilled; he will return tomorrow.

Angela

(Aside.) (A vain hope is revived.) I was not afraid on account of his leaving. His comings and goings are always inopportune.

Juan

I did not think that you were. It is just that you and Luis show nothing but displeasure at the visit of this friend that causes me such pleasure.

1871 Angela

I do not know how to answer you, although I feel as though I must. I think I should retire from your game of love. Three’s company, and you have made of me a go-between, when love is most enjoyable when played as a two-handed game, one on one. Isabel, come with me. (Aside) (This very night shall we retrieve the portrait. We shall have more time and fewer interruptions. Bring me a light and show me where to hide. A man who writes me letters has no business possessing the portrait of another lady. The insult!)

Exeunt Angela and Isabel.

Beatriz

I do not believe that I owe you such kindness.

Juan

I shall prove the strength of my commitment —which is substantial— with words.

Beatriz

Please do.

Juan

Listen, my love. Beautiful Beatriz, my faith is so certain, my love so steadfast, my affection so extraordinary, that even if I did not wish to love you, against my own will and desire would I love you still. My life now depends upon yours so much that if I could forget you, I would, just so that I might fall in love with you all over again. Would that I could experience again the happy, mad rush of new love. He who loves a woman only when he cannot forget her, does not oblige her to love him in return, since without the possibility of choice determined by free will, it cannot be called love. Yet I cannot possibly get your beauty out of my mind, Beatriz, and I am left to despair that the stars swell with pride at the victory of your love over my free will.

Beatriz

If choices were due to free will, and forces to the influence of the stars, she who lives not subject to fortune would have a stronger will than mine. I cannot trust your kindness since my faith, which can overcome impossible obstacles, would deny that it were my own if my will were not accompanied by it. During that brief instant spent in forgetting you so that I might fall in love with you again, my heart would feel my life slipping away. I am delighted to have no part in putting you out of my mind since I could not love you while I tried to forget you.

Exeunt.

[The street outside Juan’s house]

Enter Manuel, chasing Cosme, who is trying to flee.

1917 Manuel

For God’s sake, if I had seen…

Cosme

That’s why you look.

Manuel

…that your incompetence was going to dishonor me, to make a fool of me!