Chapter 4

Vittia.Smarda——Smarda(springing up). Lady ... your slave!Vittia.I think you are.Think that you are—if ever the leopard yields.Smarda.To you, lady? A-ha! let him refuse.Command!Vittia.And you will heed it well; I fear not.But first I have thought of requital.Smarda(avidly). Ouie!Vittia.Those amulets——Smarda.Of jade—and sard!Vittia.And whichYou prize so——Smarda.From my home in ScythiaAcross the sea (darkening) they came with me.Vittia.The homeWhence you were torn by the Moor who was your master.

Vittia.Smarda——

Smarda(springing up). Lady ... your slave!

Vittia.I think you are.Think that you are—if ever the leopard yields.

Smarda.To you, lady? A-ha! let him refuse.Command!

Vittia.And you will heed it well; I fear not.But first I have thought of requital.

Smarda(avidly). Ouie!

Vittia.Those amulets——

Smarda.Of jade—and sard!

Vittia.And whichYou prize so——

Smarda.From my home in ScythiaAcross the sea (darkening) they came with me.

Vittia.The homeWhence you were torn by the Moor who was your master.

(SeesSmardasnarl.)

Is it not so?Smarda.The spirits strangle him!

Is it not so?

Smarda.The spirits strangle him!

(Works lividly at the charms.)

Vittia.Well, if I win to-night what is begunYou shall not want, I think,Of gold for weightier witchery upon him.

(The slave's eyes gleam.)

But listen, every sinew will be neededStill to achieve this wedding, though we haveCamarin with us, willing. So I've learnedA ship has come from Venice.Smarda(quickly). Pietro!Vittia.Yes, Pietro, it must be, has arrivedWith papers that will help.Smarda.Ha! Fortune's touch!Vittia.It is, but tardy. Therefore I must haveThem instantly.Smarda.Ere he has time, lady,To vaunt of love in Lusignan and babble.Vittia.A wooing dolt! but safe—because he fears.—I shall be in this place with lord Amaury,Whom I must ... but no matter.He left me suddenlyA season since, seeing his father's lookStrangely upon his mother: for that doubt,His father's, still I've been compelled to feed,To move Yolanda.—Here I shall be, then, here within this place.

But listen, every sinew will be neededStill to achieve this wedding, though we haveCamarin with us, willing. So I've learnedA ship has come from Venice.

Smarda(quickly). Pietro!

Vittia.Yes, Pietro, it must be, has arrivedWith papers that will help.

Smarda.Ha! Fortune's touch!

Vittia.It is, but tardy. Therefore I must haveThem instantly.

Smarda.Ere he has time, lady,To vaunt of love in Lusignan and babble.

Vittia.A wooing dolt! but safe—because he fears.—I shall be in this place with lord Amaury,Whom I must ... but no matter.He left me suddenlyA season since, seeing his father's lookStrangely upon his mother: for that doubt,His father's, still I've been compelled to feed,To move Yolanda.—Here I shall be, then, here within this place.

(She goes engrossedly.)

Smarda(recalling the pledge; evilly). A-ha! Ha-ha! Ha-ha! If she but win!A talisman with might upon the Moor!

(Begins to dance—a charm held up before her.)

If she but win! a-ha! a curse on him!

(Whirls faster with a wild grace, swaying to and fro, and chanting softly the while, till suddenly a laugh in the corridor stops her, andPietrois heard through the curtains adoringCiva,who pushes him into the Hall, then runs away laughing.)

Pietro(after her). Hold, fair one! Stay!

(Turns.)

Smarda.Pietro!Pietro.Slave! (Vainly.) I greet you.

Smarda.Pietro!

Pietro.Slave! (Vainly.) I greet you.

(Bows grandly.)

Smarda.A-ha!... So!Pietro.I, Pietro, as you see,Who, you're aware, am soughtOf all the loveliestAttendant on the lords and high of Venice.Smarda.Yes.... Ha!Pietro."The gentle Pietro," they say.You may remember.Smarda.Ha!Pietro."Proud Pietro!"And then they sigh.Smarda.Sigh. But you've papers—Pietro.Then—They weep and pine—until I must console them.Smarda(going to where he poses; contemptuously). And for all this, O prince of paramours,

Smarda.A-ha!... So!

Pietro.I, Pietro, as you see,Who, you're aware, am soughtOf all the loveliestAttendant on the lords and high of Venice.

Smarda.Yes.... Ha!

Pietro."The gentle Pietro," they say.You may remember.

Smarda.Ha!

Pietro."Proud Pietro!"And then they sigh.

Smarda.Sigh. But you've papers—

Pietro.Then—They weep and pine—until I must console them.

Smarda(going to where he poses; contemptuously). And for all this, O prince of paramours,

(He is startled.)

My lady has no doubt bid you to sailFrom Venice.Pietro.Slave?Smarda.And she will hear with loveThat you delay the powers of the SenateSent in your keeping to her.Pietro.She!Smarda.Oh, with

My lady has no doubt bid you to sailFrom Venice.

Pietro.Slave?

Smarda.And she will hear with loveThat you delay the powers of the SenateSent in your keeping to her.

Pietro.She!

Smarda.Oh, with

(As he twitches.)

Love and delight—for urgently she waits them!And then—then of your amorous mouthings yonder!Pietro.You will not, slave! but quickly take them to her,The papers ... quickly!

Love and delight—for urgently she waits them!And then—then of your amorous mouthings yonder!

Pietro.You will not, slave! but quickly take them to her,The papers ... quickly!

(Fumbles for them.)

Dear slave, you will—and say if she inquireThat I was led astrayBy the little Cyprian with guiling eyesWho fell enamoured of me at the gate.Smarda.Civa!Pietro.The same! I sought to run away,

Dear slave, you will—and say if she inquireThat I was led astrayBy the little Cyprian with guiling eyesWho fell enamoured of me at the gate.

Smarda.Civa!

Pietro.The same! I sought to run away,

(Still searching.)

O slave, say to her, but I could not for—For—for a lady by the marble knight,That is, by the fountain, swooned, as——Smarda.Swooned!Pietro.She did.Out by the fountain.Smarda.As you came? who? which?Lady Yolanda? lady Berengere?

O slave, say to her, but I could not for—For—for a lady by the marble knight,That is, by the fountain, swooned, as——

Smarda.Swooned!

Pietro.She did.Out by the fountain.

Smarda.As you came? who? which?Lady Yolanda? lady Berengere?

(He stares at her ardour.)

Did no one say?... My mistress must know this!The papers, quickly!Pietro.Slave, you——! By my sins!

Did no one say?... My mistress must know this!The papers, quickly!

Pietro.Slave, you——! By my sins!

(She has seized them, and is gone. He follows amazed. Sunset begins without, crimson and far.Amauryappears from the loggia, reckless, worn. He pauses, looks about him, troubled.)

Amaury.Not here yet.... There is more in this than seems.

(Goes to divan and sits.Vittiaenters behind.)

More, Camarin of Paphos, than is clear!

(Starts up.)

And she must tell me! (Sees Vittia.) Lady, you I mean.

(Vittiaadvances inquiringly.)

What is beyond this shame upon Yolanda?Vittia.My lord——?Amaury.What! It is moving in me clouded,Deeper than sight but pressing at my peace.My father's look! you saw it!Vittia.Ah!Amaury.And sawFear in my mother!Vittia.Yes, implanted deep.Amaury.And did not wonder?Vittia(sits). When I knew its source?No need, my lord—though your pang too I marked—For, trust me, ere to-morrow it will cease—If you are firm.Amaury.I? who know nought? In what?Vittia.That do not ask, I pray. (Deftly.) Another couldFitly reply, but I——Amaury.No other better!Vittia.Then ... it will cease, my lord—So as a flail of doubt it should not stillBeat in you—when YolandaIs wed with Camarin ... no, do not speak;The reason for your sake I must withhold.Amaury.Though as under sirocco I am kept. (Sits.)Sirocco!

What is beyond this shame upon Yolanda?

Vittia.My lord——?

Amaury.What! It is moving in me clouded,Deeper than sight but pressing at my peace.My father's look! you saw it!

Vittia.Ah!

Amaury.And sawFear in my mother!

Vittia.Yes, implanted deep.

Amaury.And did not wonder?

Vittia(sits). When I knew its source?No need, my lord—though your pang too I marked—For, trust me, ere to-morrow it will cease—If you are firm.

Amaury.I? who know nought? In what?

Vittia.That do not ask, I pray. (Deftly.) Another couldFitly reply, but I——

Amaury.No other better!

Vittia.Then ... it will cease, my lord—So as a flail of doubt it should not stillBeat in you—when YolandaIs wed with Camarin ... no, do not speak;The reason for your sake I must withhold.

Amaury.Though as under sirocco I am kept. (Sits.)Sirocco!

(Rises, a pause.)

Yet you speak gently.Vittia.No; unblushingly!

Yet you speak gently.

Vittia.No; unblushingly!

(He looks surprised.)

Unblushingly to one who knows—though byA chance—my love to him.

(Turns away.)

And yet I cannot rueThat he awaking sudden from the potionSurprised the dew of it upon my lips.No, and I would that gentle words might beAs waters of enchantment on his grief——But of Yolanda—

(Rises.)

Amaury.Still I love her, still!Vittia(strainedly). As well she knows, so may refuse to wedWith Camarin.Amaury.She?Vittia.Since you are Lusignan,Heir of a sceptred line,And yet may reach—the realm.Amaury(pierced). No ... not for thatHer hope was?Vittia.Were it folly to make sure?

Amaury.Still I love her, still!

Vittia(strainedly). As well she knows, so may refuse to wedWith Camarin.

Amaury.She?

Vittia.Since you are Lusignan,Heir of a sceptred line,And yet may reach—the realm.

Amaury(pierced). No ... not for thatHer hope was?

Vittia.Were it folly to make sure?

(A pause.)

Amaury.How? speak.Vittia.Again unshameful? No; one thingAlone would serve you. That I must not bringMy tongue to falter.Amaury.Be it so.Vittia.And yet ...

Amaury.How? speak.

Vittia.Again unshameful? No; one thingAlone would serve you. That I must not bringMy tongue to falter.

Amaury.Be it so.

Vittia.And yet ...

(He has turned away.)

My lord, my lord, I will!Will ... for you suffer!Will, though indelicacy seem to soilWhat bloom I boasted.Let her think ... let her,But for to-day,That 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.Yes.Amaury.This is most kind.

Amaury.You!

Vittia.For to-day.To-morrow I return to Venice, then—Denial.

Amaury(moved). Lady—?

Vittia.Yes.

Amaury.This is most kind.

(She waits repressed—as he struggles.)

Kind; I will do it.Vittia.Will?Amaury.Grateful, intentFor the issue's utterance. And this wear you,This token of our race,

Kind; I will do it.

Vittia.Will?

Amaury.Grateful, intentFor the issue's utterance. And this wear you,This token of our race,

(Takes off his ring.)

For a proof to her of any tie soever.

(He puts it onVittia'sfinger.)

But now—for the sails make home along the sea—Now of my mother.Vittia.More, my lord?Amaury.This only;

But now—for the sails make home along the sea—Now of my mother.

Vittia.More, my lord?

Amaury.This only;

(Smardaglides in.)

To-morrow ... Scythian!Vittia.Who! My lord?...

To-morrow ... Scythian!

Vittia.Who! My lord?...

(Sees the slave's look, which stirs him.)

Smarda!Why are you here?... Those papers—but your lips!

(Takes the papers.)

Not these alone have brought you thus; then what?

(FollowsSmarda'seye.)

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 fledThe lord of Lusignan.Amaury.My father?Smarda.He.And you are sought below, I heard it said:Some officer of Famagouste—and men.

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 fledThe lord of Lusignan.

Amaury.My father?

Smarda.He.And you are sought below, I heard it said:Some officer of Famagouste—and men.

(Amauryturns dazed and goes.)

Vittia(with fervour, then—yet awed).This is again fortune!... fortune!Smarda.Lady?Vittia.Is! though an instant since it seemed disaster.Smarda.And how?Vittia.Yolanda, does she know?Smarda.Nothing.Nothing. She was returning from the rocksWhere nest the windy gulls (gloatingly)As I came hither. I stole there at noonTo see her suffer.Vittia.Then.—I can compel her.She will come here. Go to the curtains, see.If she is near, the Paphian is inThe bower by the cypress: go, tell him,The loggia—at once ...Ah!

Vittia(with fervour, then—yet awed).This is again fortune!... fortune!

Smarda.Lady?

Vittia.Is! though an instant since it seemed disaster.

Smarda.And how?

Vittia.Yolanda, does she know?

Smarda.Nothing.Nothing. She was returning from the rocksWhere nest the windy gulls (gloatingly)As I came hither. I stole there at noonTo see her suffer.

Vittia.Then.—I can compel her.She will come here. Go to the curtains, see.If she is near, the Paphian is inThe bower by the cypress: go, tell him,The loggia—at once ...Ah!

(Yolandaenters.)

Yolanda(to herself). "Ah" indeed.

(Her look of purpose changes to one of distrust. But she firmly fronts toVittia,as the slave slips out.)

Vittia.My gratitude! I wished, and you are here.Yolanda.And—for some reason of less honour—you.Vittia.I, a dear guest? fa!Yolanda.Were you! and not oneThis ne'er-before-envenomed air would banish.(Slowly) One whose abidingThese walls would loathe aloud—had they a tongueTo utter.Vittia.Yet I may be mistress of them,Ere all is done—since still it is my purpose.Yolanda.Gulfs wide as the hate of God for infamyWould lie preventing; so there is no fear.

Vittia.My gratitude! I wished, and you are here.

Yolanda.And—for some reason of less honour—you.

Vittia.I, a dear guest? fa!

Yolanda.Were you! and not oneThis ne'er-before-envenomed air would banish.(Slowly) One whose abidingThese walls would loathe aloud—had they a tongueTo utter.

Vittia.Yet I may be mistress of them,Ere all is done—since still it is my purpose.

Yolanda.Gulfs wide as the hate of God for infamyWould lie preventing; so there is no fear.

(Sits.)

Vittia.A prophesy!Yolanda.A deeper than disdain.Vittia.Or than your love of Camarin of Paphos!Yolanda.Which you would feign, but cannot.Vittia.Still, beforeEvening is done, you will become his wife?Yolanda.If, ere it come, all under LusignanDo not look scorn on Vittia Pisani.

Vittia.A prophesy!

Yolanda.A deeper than disdain.

Vittia.Or than your love of Camarin of Paphos!

Yolanda.Which you would feign, but cannot.

Vittia.Still, beforeEvening is done, you will become his wife?

Yolanda.If, ere it come, all under LusignanDo not look scorn on Vittia Pisani.

(Rises.)

Vittia.What! how?Yolanda.Plentiful scorn! (With joy.) A thing may stillBe done to lift my hope out of this ruin!To bring Amaury grateful to my feet!And I will do it.Vittia.Tell?... vowing him firstTo win his father's lenience?... No ... I see!You would when she who's guiltyAnd this enamoured Paphian are fled!

Vittia.What! how?

Yolanda.Plentiful scorn! (With joy.) A thing may stillBe done to lift my hope out of this ruin!To bring Amaury grateful to my feet!And I will do it.

Vittia.Tell?... vowing him firstTo win his father's lenience?... No ... I see!You would when she who's guiltyAnd this enamoured Paphian are fled!

(Yolandaturns pale.)

When they are fled! ha ... And it is too late.Yolanda.Too—? You by some trick—a trick have—!Vittia.Hindered? LittleI needed ... Her wings are flightless. She is ill,Verging—go learn!—to death.Yolanda.No!Vittia.To the grave.And you alone, she knows, can put it far—Since she is numbed and drainedMomently by the terror of her husband,Whose every pulse seems to her a suspicion.Yolanda.And it is you ... you who have urged againHis doubt that would have sunk!Vittia.It was enoughMerely to sigh—and fear her innocenceCan only seem simple again as dewIf you wed freely Camarin of Paphos.Yolanda.And that, you could! though in her heart remorseTrampled and tore!Though with the wounds of battle he you "love"Is livid still.Vittia.And grieves?—Be comforted!Forheis—now security has come.

When they are fled! ha ... And it is too late.

Yolanda.Too—? You by some trick—a trick have—!

Vittia.Hindered? LittleI needed ... Her wings are flightless. She is ill,Verging—go learn!—to death.

Yolanda.No!

Vittia.To the grave.And you alone, she knows, can put it far—Since she is numbed and drainedMomently by the terror of her husband,Whose every pulse seems to her a suspicion.

Yolanda.And it is you ... you who have urged againHis doubt that would have sunk!

Vittia.It was enoughMerely to sigh—and fear her innocenceCan only seem simple again as dewIf you wed freely Camarin of Paphos.

Yolanda.And that, you could! though in her heart remorseTrampled and tore!Though with the wounds of battle he you "love"Is livid still.

Vittia.And grieves?—Be comforted!Forheis—now security has come.

(Shows ring;Yolandafalls back.)

Asheis, do not fear.Yolanda.Amaury!... Oh!He is not! no, Amaury!... He? so soon?—Ah, you are merciless!Vittia.Only awareHow to compel your pity to my ends;For you will spare his mother.Yolanda.Yielding—still,And past all season of recovery?Shattering love for ever at my feet?No, you are duped. For empty, cold are the veinsNow of submission in me; numb and deadThe pleading of it. And upon you, back,I cast the burden of your cruelty.

Asheis, do not fear.

Yolanda.Amaury!... Oh!He is not! no, Amaury!... He? so soon?—Ah, you are merciless!

Vittia.Only awareHow to compel your pity to my ends;For you will spare his mother.

Yolanda.Yielding—still,And past all season of recovery?Shattering love for ever at my feet?No, you are duped. For empty, cold are the veinsNow of submission in me; numb and deadThe pleading of it. And upon you, back,I cast the burden of your cruelty.

(Slowly.)

And—if she dies in terror of the lipsOf Renier Lusignan—on your peaceThe guilt be!Vittia.No.Yolanda.The heaping mass of horror!Vittia(moved). No, on her own; for she has sinned.Yolanda.And suffered!But you——Vittia.I say her own. I've done no crime.And you will wed him.Yolanda.Were I Venetian!But am not; so remorse has come in you!There at the gates that guard your rest you hearDim now the risen phantom cries of it,The presage beat of them like hungry handsThat will o'erwhelm you!All that I could to spare her I have done;All that was duty and of love the most.But you it was who struck and kindled firstWithin Lord Renier fire of suspicion.Then yours the penance!Vittia.Liar!... ah ... enough.

And—if she dies in terror of the lipsOf Renier Lusignan—on your peaceThe guilt be!

Vittia.No.

Yolanda.The heaping mass of horror!

Vittia(moved). No, on her own; for she has sinned.

Yolanda.And suffered!But you——

Vittia.I say her own. I've done no crime.And you will wed him.

Yolanda.Were I Venetian!But am not; so remorse has come in you!There at the gates that guard your rest you hearDim now the risen phantom cries of it,The presage beat of them like hungry handsThat will o'erwhelm you!All that I could to spare her I have done;All that was duty and of love the most.But you it was who struck and kindled firstWithin Lord Renier fire of suspicion.Then yours the penance!

Vittia.Liar!... ah ... enough.

(Recovers herself.)

A babe I am so to be fed with fright.You—well I know—will not desert her thusTo ... the medusa of his doubt.Yolanda.I will not.

A babe I am so to be fed with fright.You—well I know—will not desert her thusTo ... the medusa of his doubt.

Yolanda.I will not.

(With exultance.)

Will, will not, will not, will not!But you it is—For in the worst that live there still is heaven!—Must null his doubt and ease the sobbing ebbAnd flood of her sick spirit; you who mustGo to his fear and with persuasion sayThat it is folly of him and of youSo to suspect her, since in Camarin'sArms I was found. You will!Vittia.And—then go pray?

Vittia.And—then go pray?

(Draws out the papers scornfully.)

Rather I'll bring you this:—AuthoritySent me of VeniceTo make Amaury lordly over Cyprus,Or to abase him even of Famagouste;Which I will do—

(Goes to her.)

Unless I have the pledge that you will wed,Though not to be his wife and free to leave him,This Paphian,And with him from Lusignan hence will pass,

(Camarinappears on loggia.)

And he has come now for your answer.Yolanda.Here!In league with you! in this!Vittia.Most loyally;And ready skilfully to disavow,With every force, your innocence—if youAttempt betrayal!—Enter, my lord of Paphos—

And he has come now for your answer.

Yolanda.Here!In league with you! in this!

Vittia.Most loyally;And ready skilfully to disavow,With every force, your innocence—if youAttempt betrayal!—Enter, my lord of Paphos—

(Camarinenters desperately.)

I have spoken.She has not pledged to wed you—though the lifeOf Berengere Lusignan fall for it,And though Amaury ... But you may avail.

(Moves off.Yolandastands silently between them.Camarinlooks at her, falters, then turns onVittia.)

Camarin.As an anchorite for immortality,Venetian, I covet this—covet!Yet ... I will not entreat it of her.Vittia.What!Camarin.I swore in dread, but will not!Vittia.Now!Yolanda(low). Madonna!Vittia.Now you refuse?Yolanda.He does—he does!Vittia.The whole?Yolanda.Lady of Venice, yes; for very shame!

Camarin.As an anchorite for immortality,Venetian, I covet this—covet!Yet ... I will not entreat it of her.

Vittia.What!

Camarin.I swore in dread, but will not!

Vittia.Now!

Yolanda(low). Madonna!

Vittia.Now you refuse?

Yolanda.He does—he does!

Vittia.The whole?

Yolanda.Lady of Venice, yes; for very shame!

(With grave joy.)

Bitterly tho' it be, he must, for shame!Though he would waste the air of the world to keepThe breath still in the veinsOf her his love so wronged,He cannot ask me more than breast can bearKnowing I have already borne for herInfection worse than fetid marshes sendFrom Mesaoria—Have lost the sky of love that I had archedAnd all the stars of it. See, he is dumb!—He cannot.Camarin(coldly). No; but to your heart I leave herAnd to your pity.Yolanda.Say not pity to me!

Camarin(coldly). No; but to your heart I leave herAnd to your pity.

Yolanda.Say not pity to me!

(The word overwhelms her anew.)

Am I not needy, fain of it, and canEndurance ever dure!What have I leftOf joy to ripple in me or of lightTo sway me to forgetting—I to whomDawn was enchanted incense once, and day,The least of earth, an ides of heaven bliss.What to me left! to me!Who shepherded each happy flock of wavesRunning with silvery foaming there to shore,Who numbered the little leaves with laughing namesOut of my love,And quickened the winds with quicker winds of hope,That now are spent ... as summer waters,Leaving my breast a torrent's barren bed.Pity and pity! ever pity! No.

(EnterHassan.)

A nun to pity I will be no more.But you, cruel Venetian ... Ah, ah,Mother of God! is there no gentlenessIn thee to move her and dissolve awayThis jeopardy congealing over us?

(A pause.)

Vittia.You see, none.Yolanda.Ah, for sceptre and for mightThen to compel you.Vittia.Still, there is none.Yolanda.None ...

Vittia.You see, none.

Yolanda.Ah, for sceptre and for mightThen to compel you.

Vittia.Still, there is none.

Yolanda.None ...

(Sinks to a seat in despair.)

Yet could I think!Hassan.Lady Yolanda—

Yet could I think!

Hassan.Lady Yolanda—

(Advances.)

Yolanda.WereMy brain less weary!Hassan.Lady Yolanda—Yolanda.Well?Hassan.There is a means—a might.Yolanda.Well?

Yolanda.WereMy brain less weary!

Hassan.Lady Yolanda—

Yolanda.Well?

Hassan.There is a means—a might.

Yolanda.Well?

(Is half heedless.)

Hassan.To compel her.Yolanda.To ... what?Hassan.If you will dare it.Yolanda.Will—?Hassan.I swear.Yolanda(rising). Your thought! I have no fear.Hassan.Then ... let me butSeize her and shut her fast an hour withinThe leprous keep, and she shall write whate'erYou order; then upon a vessel quickBe sent to Venice whence she came.Camarin.Mad! mad!Venice would rise!Hassan.And Cyprus, to be free!—But 'tis not, lady! and Lord RenierShall have a letter of her guile and flight.Venture it, venture!Yolanda(after a long pause). If it can be done,It shall be.Hassan.Ah!Yolanda.And must be.Vittia.Fools, to me!

Hassan.To compel her.

Yolanda.To ... what?

Hassan.If you will dare it.

Yolanda.Will—?

Hassan.I swear.

Yolanda(rising). Your thought! I have no fear.

Hassan.Then ... let me butSeize her and shut her fast an hour withinThe leprous keep, and she shall write whate'erYou order; then upon a vessel quickBe sent to Venice whence she came.

Camarin.Mad! mad!Venice would rise!

Hassan.And Cyprus, to be free!—But 'tis not, lady! and Lord RenierShall have a letter of her guile and flight.Venture it, venture!

Yolanda(after a long pause). If it can be done,It shall be.

Hassan.Ah!

Yolanda.And must be.

Vittia.Fools, to me!

(She stands defensive, asHassanprepares to close in.)

Yolanda.Quickly, and take her.Hassan.Now.Camarin(with sudden horror). No!... Sateless God!

Yolanda.Quickly, and take her.

Hassan.Now.

Camarin(with sudden horror). No!... Sateless God!

(His eyes are fixed on the balcony.)

See, see!... Berengere! Oh! fury of hell!

(They look and fall back appalled. For slowly down the steps comesRenierfollowingBerengere,whose eyes turn back in fluttering trance upon him.)

Yolanda.Ah!... he will kill her! Stop, my lord! mother!Lord Renier!

(Runs; takesBerengerein her arms.)

Cold is she, stony pale,And sinking!... Go away from her, go go!Renier.No ... she shall tell me.Yolanda.Mother!... Tell you thatYou are her murderer?Renier.The truth!Yolanda.The truth!

Cold is she, stony pale,And sinking!... Go away from her, go go!

Renier.No ... she shall tell me.

Yolanda.Mother!... Tell you thatYou are her murderer?

Renier.The truth!

Yolanda.The truth!

(Laughs bitterly, and at a loss, as if amazed. Then, almost against her will, led, to the end—)

It is suspicion! is that mad suspicionThat you have had of her.Renier.It is! It is!Yolanda.And—all because I have these days delayedTo wed with Camarin.Renier.Delayed?Yolanda.BecauseI show befitting shame that I was hereFound in his arms ... when to AmauryI was betrothed!Renier.Power of—! No!Yolanda.BecauseI grieve to leave Lusignan, this my home—Where I have dwelt as under tented love—Though I am bidden.Renier.This can be?Berengere(faintly). Yolanda!Renier.I say—only delayed? and you—?Yolanda.Yes, yes.Now I will wed him, heedless, wantless, wild.Send for the priest and for Amaury, forLaughter and lights and revelry—for allWithin this castle. But first to her bed,And to tranquillity,She must be borne, she your cold violenceHas driven here.... Alessa—Tremitus!

It is suspicion! is that mad suspicionThat you have had of her.

Renier.It is! It is!

Yolanda.And—all because I have these days delayedTo wed with Camarin.

Renier.Delayed?

Yolanda.BecauseI show befitting shame that I was hereFound in his arms ... when to AmauryI was betrothed!

Renier.Power of—! No!

Yolanda.BecauseI grieve to leave Lusignan, this my home—Where I have dwelt as under tented love—Though I am bidden.

Renier.This can be?

Berengere(faintly). Yolanda!

Renier.I say—only delayed? and you—?

Yolanda.Yes, yes.Now I will wed him, heedless, wantless, wild.Send for the priest and for Amaury, forLaughter and lights and revelry—for allWithin this castle. But first to her bed,And to tranquillity,She must be borne, she your cold violenceHas driven here.... Alessa—Tremitus!

(They have entered.)

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