Scene III A Street Before Don Diego’s House in Barcelona
Enter Alvaro and Fabio, masked: other Masks pass across, and into Diego’s house.
Alv. This is the place; here will I wait till she comes by. I know her dress, but I dared not follow her till myself disguised.
Fab. And no doubt, sir, you will find good opportunity of talking to her. ’Tis the old and acknowledged usage of this season, that any one may accost any one so long as both are masked, and so neither supposed to know the other.
Alv. Oh, a brave usage, and a brave invention, that of the Carnival! One may accost whom one pleases, and whisper what one will, under the very ears of husband, father, or duenna!
Fab. So received a custom, that even among this hot-headed jealous people of Spain, no mortal quarrel has yet arisen on these occasions, though plenty to provoke it.
Alv. Look! the Masks are coming; I hear the music within. She must soon be here. Let us withdraw round this corner till she come.
[Exeunt.