_Ant._ (_much alarmed_). Sir, sir, I came--came (_recovers himself_)--I came to save your life, unless it please you to take mine before I can speak to you.
_Ant._ Yes, sir; I knew not where to find you; I thought you might be here, and so I forced the lock with a rusty key. I meant to say, that I knew you had another way out from your chamber, and I have been looking for it, that I might hasten to you, to save your life.
_Gasp._ Well, sirrah, first prove to me that you _can_ save my life, and then, perhaps, I may overlook this impertinent intrusion.
_Ant._ Sir, I overheard a conversation between the valet of Don Felix and a woman, in which they stated that bravos were hired by Don Perez to waylay and murder you, Don Perez not caring to meet you with his sword. This night they wait for you.
_Gasp._ Is Don Perez then so basely treacherous?
_Ant._ Indeed he is, sir! You must not out to-night.
_Gasp._ I must, and fear them not. For this I overlook your prying--nay, more, I will in confidence explain the secret of this chamber; but, mark you! keep it, or I shall soil my rapier with thy knavish blood. This private entrance hath much served me (_showing the sliding panel_).
_Gasp._ It oft has saved my life. It is about a year since, and about three months before you entered my service, that I gained the love of one named Julia; she was too fond, and urged me to marry her, which I refused. Her brothers, who were at home at the time, wrested from her the cause of those tears which she could not control. I met them both, and with ease disarmed them; I did not wish to slay them, I had already done them injury. These officers, who were more annoyed by my conquest than even their sister's shame, hired bravos, as Perez now has done, who sought to murder me. Each night that I went home I found them near my door: twice I fought an entrance to my own house; a friend, who was aware of the inveteracy of those who toiled to procure my assassination, hired me this chamber. For months they watched the door with disappointment, until the brothers being recalled to join their troops in Murcia, the bravos ceased their persecutions.
_Ant._ How did you escape them in the city, senor?
_Gasp._ In daylight I was safe; at night I wore the garb of a holy monk, that lies upon that chair. You'll keep my secret?