_Ben._ Ah! very true, my good master! all very true! but lord, lord, lord! it is really mighty difficult to forget one’s own dear self. Heaven knows, poor sinner that I am, a few twinges of the gout are always enough to make me as hard-hearted as a rock of adamant; and even when dear lady Josepha died, I’m almost afraid I should have felt very little for any body but myself, if just at that time I had happened to have a touch of the toothach! ah! we are all poor weak creatures! poor weak creatures! poor weak creatures! (_going_)
_Ben._ (_returning_) Well, friend! hey a monk? I beg your pardon then; well, father!
_Mich._ The viceroy is at length arrived?
_Mich._ Conduct me to him: I must speak with him instantly.
_Ben._ Stop, stop! no hurry-- the viceroy is already gone out.
_Mich._ Unfortunate! my business is of such importance----
_Ben._ Well, well! I dare say, some few hours hence----
_Mich._ My superior knows not that I am absent; I have ventured here without permission, I dare not stay, and perhaps my return may be impossible!
_Ben._ Indeed! that’s a pity! and is your superior then so rigid, that he would’nt excuse-- (_looking at his habit_) ha, ha! I see now how it is. Is not your superior the prior Cœlestino?
_Mich._ The same! and-- (_looking round anxiously, and lowering his voice_) and I am no favourite with him.
_Ben._ No? that’s very much to your credit.
_Mich._ (_acquiring confidence_) Nor am I partial to him.
_Ben._ Nor I neither, heaven knows! there’s my hand upon it. Father, you’re a very sensible honest man.
_Mich._ You appear to be well acquainted with the prior’s character: but for heaven’s sake do not betray me!
_Ben._ I betray you? to be sure one ought not to wish one’s neighbour ill. But if the fire, which lately consumed a wing of your convent, had consumed in it-- you understand me, I wont say no more: but if a certain event had taken place, I dont believe I should have broken my heart for grief, father.
_Mich._ The prior was absent at the time of the conflagration; he ran no danger; but that accident may be the source of other dangers to him, of which at present he little dreams.
_Ben._ Indeed! as how, pray, as how? as how? dear, I shall be mighty glad to hear how.