TER. Señorito, a gentleman has given me this card.
LAZ. (_as if awaking_). A gentleman? Let me see--Doctor Bermudez! But why has he put himself to inconvenience? I would have gone to him. Let him come in. Let him come in. Quick, woman, let him come in. (_Exit_ TERESA.) With this man I must have much prudence, much composure, much calm. If he had heard the nonsense that I was talking! What a terror!
TERESA. (_re-entering and announcing_). Señor de Bermudez. [_Exit_ TERESA.
LAZ. Your servant--very much your servant--one who is grieved to the heart for having troubled a person such as you. A man of eminence--a man of knowledge. (_With much courtesy, but endeavouring to restrain himself._)
BERM. Not so--not so--I received your letter.
LAZ. Indeed, it was not meant that you should give yourself any trouble. I begged you to be good enough to appoint a time for me and I should have gone to your house. But take a seat. I cannot allow you to remain standing an instant longer. Sit down! (_Making him sit down._) Here--no--here--you will be better here.
BERM. Many thanks. You are very amiable! (_Takes a seat._)
LAZ. I don’t know whether I am entitled to sit down in the presence of a man like yourself; a national glory! (_Commands himself so that his accent is natural: perhaps however he errs a little by excess of courtesy._)
BERM. You overwhelm me. I don’t deserve--(_Aside._) He is very engaging, this young man. They were right in Madrid to say that he has plenty of ability.
LAZ. You don’t deserve it? Ah! in the mouth of a celebrity like Doctor Bermudez, modesty will always have a voice, but it has no vote.
BERM. Señor de Mejia. (_Aside._) How well he speaks!
LAZ. Don’t treat me ceremoniously. I am not deserving of so much solemnity. “Señor de Mejia”! (_Laughing._) Call me Lazarus. I really don’t deserve anything better; treat me as a master might a pupil. I dare not say as a kind friend would treat a respectful friend.
BERM. As you please. It will be an honour for me! (_Aside._) Very engaging, very engaging!
LAZ. Well, I repeat that I am sorry at heart for having given you this trouble.
BERM. Not at all. I already told your mother last night that if at any other time she required me, or if she wished by any further suggestions to make me amplify my opinion, I was unconditionally at her orders. A card saying to me “Come,” and I should come instantly. And so it is that on receiving the letter this morning--as you may imagine--I said, “I must place myself at the feet of that lady, and I must personally become acquainted with her son, a national glory of the future, one who is destined to have a European renown.”