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The first act opens in a public square of Madrid, where a band of gypsies are singing to the populace, among them Maritana, a young girl of more than ordinary beauty and vocal accomplishments. Among the spectators is the young King Charles, who after listening to her is smitten with her charms.
Brabant's wife was sitting on the shady verandah of her house on the hills overlooking Levuka harbour, and watching a large fore and aft schooner being towed in by two boats, for the wind had died away early in the morning and left the smooth sea to swelter and steam under a sky of brass. The schooner was named the Maritana, and was owned and commanded by Mrs.
Her hands were white, slender and well kept, though he saw on the side of the forefinger of her left hand the telltale marks of the needle. The piece was an arrangement of the well-known air from the opera of Maritana: "Scenes that are brightest, May charm awhile, Hearts which are lightest And eyes that smile. Yet o'er them above us, Though nature beam, With none to love us, How sad they seem!"
'When a fellow can help himself so coolly to his information as you do, I scarcely think he deserves much aid from others; but, I may tell you, she is not Maritana, nor a provincial actress, nor any actress at all, but a young lady of good blood and birth, and my own first cousin. 'On my oath, it's the best thing I ever knew of you.
The port doctor and Customs officer came on board and warmly greeted the captain of the Maritana for, apart from his being one of the wealthiest traders in the South Seas, John Brabant was essentially a man who made friends made them insensibly, and then his beautiful young wife was the acknowledged belle of the small European community in Fiji, and his house, when he returned from one of his trading voyages, was literally an open house, for every one traders, storekeepers, cotton planters, naval men or merchant skippers knew there was a welcome awaiting them in the big bungalow on the hillside at whatever time they called, day or night.
"You will not leave Sydney till either you hear from me or see me. I may follow you in the Loelia in a month. But no one else is to know this not even Mrs. Brabant." "You may depend on me," replied Lester. "I know it well. Goodbye, Lester." That evening the Loelia sailed from Levuka. Pedro Diaz had been transferred from the Maritana and was now mate of the cutter.
Don Caesar befriends him, and in consequence becomes involved in a duel, which leads to his arrest; for it is Holy Week, and duelling during that time has been forbidden on pain of death. While Don Caesar is on his way to prison, Don José delights Maritana by promising her wealth, a splendid marriage, and an introduction to the court on the morrow.
The soldiers perform their duty, and Don Caesar feigns death; but as soon as the opportunity occurs, he leaves the prison and hurries to a grand ball given by the Marquis and Marchioness de Montefiori at their palace, while the Marquis, who has had his instructions from Don José to recognize Maritana as his long-lost niece, is introducing her as such. Don Caesar enters and demands his bride.
The moment the boat left the side Brabant set the gaff topsail and square-sail, and headed the Loelia towards the north end of the island. Just as she disappeared from the view of those on board the approaching vessel, Pedro Diaz came within hailing distance. He stood up. "Maritana ahoy!"
"Play the gentleman 'The Merry Widder," said Macbeth, "and wait till the thunder's stopped rolling before you begin." The "Merry Widder" was well and duly played, and fully bore out Macbeth's eulogy of the player. It was followed by something from Maritana, and other things which I forget.
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