And yet may reach – the realm.
Amaury (pierced). Which … do you mean,
She hopes of?
Vittia. Were it folly to make sure?
[A pause.
Amaury. How? speak.
Vittia. Again unshameful? No; one thing
Alone would serve you. That I must not bring
My tongue to falter.
Amaury. Be it so.
Vittia. And yet …
[He has turned away.
Yet I must bend to! and, my lord, I will!
Will … for you suffer!
Will, though indelicacy seem to soil
Whatever bloom I boasted.
[Goes to him.
It is this:
To let her … but for to-day …
Think you … for she's aware of my affection …
Have chosen – to wed me.
Amaury. You!
Vittia. For to-day.
To-morrow I return to Venice, then
Denial.
Amaury (moved). Lady – ?
Vittia. I will bear it.
Amaury. … Thus?
[Struggles.
Then it shall be. And grateful I'll await
The issue's utterance. And stay, wear this —
[Takes off a ring.
From her dead father's hand —
As a proof to her of any tie soever.
But now – for the sails make home along the sea —
Now of my mother.
Vittia. More, my lord?
[Smarda glides in.
Amaury. This only.
To-morrow when again she … Scythian!
[The slave is gleaming strangely.
Vittia. Smarda! what do you mean? why are you here?
[Sees papers; takes them.
These – but not these alone have brought you! What?
[Follows Smarda's eye.
Of lord Amaury?
Smarda. Of his mother.
Vittia. How!
Smarda. She swooned of terror at the castle gate.
She lies in danger. Hear – 'twas as she fled