tormented by doubt. STEPHANO escapes, and SCENE II.-The House of Bonamo. BONAMO, STEPHANO brought on by the Peasants, who then leave the room. Bona. Disobedient, senseless boy! Steph. Selina! give me back Selina, or take my life! Bona. Forbear these complaints. Steph. She is the woman I love. Bona. Dare you Steph. None but she shall be my wife. Steph. To the world's end I'll follow her! Steph. We will return to claim your blessing. Bona. Stephano! I have loved you like a father; beware of my malediction. Steph. When a father's malediction is unjust, Heaven is deaf. Enter FIAMETTA. Fiam. Very well! It's all very right! But you will see how it will end! Bona. [To STEPH.] I no longer wonder, Count Romaldi should advise me to drive such a wretch from my house. Fiam. Count Romaldi is himself a wretch. Fiam. I say it again: a vile, wicked wretch! and has written Bona. The truth. The certificate is incontestible. Fiam. I would not for all the world be guilty of your sins. Bona. Woman! Fiam. I don't care for you; I loved you this morning; I would have lost my life for you; but you are grown wicked. Bona. Will you be silent? Bona. She is not my niece. Fiam. How? Mon. But where did you learn that? Bona. Count Romaldi. Mon. Count Romaldi is-a villain. Steph. You hear, sir! Fiam. I hope I shall be believed another time. Bona. Silence, woman!-By a man like you, such an accusation cannot be made without sufficient proofs. my lips. Mon. You shall have them. Be attentive. Fiam. I won't breathe! A word sha'n't escape [They press round MONTANO. Mon. Eight years ago, before I had the honour to know you, returning one evening after visiting my friends, I was leisurely ascending the rock of Arpennaz Fiam. So, so! The rock of Arpennaz! You hear! But I'll not say a word. Mon. Two men, wild in their looks, and smeared with blood, passed hastily by me, with every appearance of guilt impressed upon their countenances. rock of Arpennaz! TheFiam. The very same! Eight years ago! The Bona. Silence! Fiam. I'll not say a word. Tell all, sir; I am dumb. Mon. They had not gone a hundred paces before he who appeared the master staggered and fell. I vant supported him to my house. They said they hastened to him: he bled much, and I and his sera deep bite which the master had on the back of his had been attacked by banditti; yet their torn clothes, hand, and other hurts appearing to be given by an unarmed man, made me doubt. Their embarrassment increased suspicion, which was confirmed who, the evening before, near the spot from which next day by Michelli, the honest miller of Arpennaz; I saw these men ascend, had succoured a poor Fiam. Is it not wickedness to turn a sweet inno-wretch, dreadfully cut and mangled. cries made Michelli come ! Eight years- Bona. Once more, hold your tongue. Bona. For the last time, I warn you. Fiam. I know the worst: I have worked for you all the prime of my youth; and now you'll serve me as you have served the innocent, wretched Selina; you'll turn me out of doors. Do it! But I'll not go till I've said out my say: so I tell you again, you are a hard-hearted uncle, an unfeeling father, and an unjust master! Every body will shun you! You will dwindle out a life of misery, and nobody will pity you; because you don't deserve pity. So now I'll go, as soon as you please. Enter Signior MONTANO. Mon. What is it I have just heard, my friend? Have you driven away your niece? Bona. Again? Fiam. I've done. of blood, and hastened to deliver them up to justice; Mon. I no longer doubted I had entertained men but, when I returned, they had flown, having left a purse, and this letter. Bona. 'Tis the hand of Romaldi. terday evening, when I here once more beheld the formation. Steph. Malvoglio? Mon. Yes, who has confessed- Mon. That the real name of this pretended Romaldi is Bianchi. Bona. Just heaven! Francisco's brother! Privately married, and she pregnant, Francisco put her under the protection of his friend here in Savoy. Mon. Whose wife this wicked brother loved. Steph. My uncle! His sudden death occasioned the mystery. Mon. But the false Romaldi decoyed Francisco into the power of the Algerines, seized his estates, and, finding he had escaped, attempted to assassi nate him. Fiam. Now are you convinced? He would not 'peach his brother of abomination! I told you Francisco was an angel! but, for all you know me so well, I'm not to be believed. Bona. You are not to be silenced. Fiam. No; I'm not. Francisco is an angel, Selina is an angel, Stephano is an angel: they shall be married, and all make one family; of which, if you repent, you shall be received into the bosom. Bona. Pray, good woman, hold your tongue. Fiam. Repent, then! Repent! Distant thunder. Bona. I do repent! Fiam. Then I forgive you. [Sobs.] I won't turn you away. You're my master again. Kisses his hand, and wipes her eyes. Bona. But where shall we find Selina, andFiam. Oh, I know where ! Steph. Do you? Fiam. Why, could you think that-Follow me! Only follow me. [Exeunt.-Thunder. Rom. Whither fly? Where shield me from pursuit, and death, and ignominy? My hour is come! The fiends that tempted, now tear me. [Thunder.] The heavens shoot their fires at me! Save! Spare! Oh spare me ! [Falls on the bank. After a pause, he raises his head. Thunder. He again falls on his face. The storm gradually abates. A distant voice "Holloa!" He half rises, starts, and runs from side to side, looking and listening. Voice again, "Holloa!" Rom. They are after me! Some one points me out! No den, no cave, can hide me! [Looking the way he came. I cannot return that way, I cannot. It is the place of blood! A robbed and wretched brother! 'Tis his blood, by which I am covered! Ay! There! There have I been driven for shelter ! Under those very rocks! Oh, that they would open Cover me, earth! Cover my crimes! Cover my shame! [Falls. Enter MICHELLI on the bridge. Mich. "Tis a fearful storm! One's very heart shrinks! It makes a poor mortal think of his sins -and his danger. Rom. [Rises.] Danger! What?-Is it me? (Listening. Mich. [Descending.] Every thunder-clap seems to flash vengeance in his face! Rom. I am known; or must be !-Shall I yield? or shall I[Points his pistol at MICHELLI, then shrinks.]-More murder. Mich. At such terrible times, a clear conscience is better than kingdoms of gold mines. Rom. [Hesitating whether he shall murder or not.] How to act? Mich. Perceiving ROMALDI, who conceals his pistol.] Now, friend. Rom. Now, miller! Mich. You look- Mich. I-What have you there? Mich. Under your coat. Rom. [Shewing his hands.] Nothing. Mich. Come in, then, and rest yourself. Rom. From-the neighbourhood of Geneva. Mich. You have heard of what has happened? Mich. There! At Sallancha! Oue Count Romaldi Rom. What of him? Mich. Do you know him? Rom. I-How should a poor Mich. Justice is at his heels. He has escaped: but he'll be taken. The executioner will have him. At least I hope so. Rom. Ay? Mich. As sure as you are here. Rom. [Aside.] All men hate me! Why should J spare him? Mich. I saved the good Francisco. Rom. You? Was it you? Mich. I. Mich. I will, my friend, as long as I can; and when I die, I'll die with an honest heart. Rom. Miserable wretch! Mich. Who? Rom. That Count Romaldi. Mich. Why ay!-Unless he is a devil, he is miserable indeed. He'll be taken; for, look, yonder are the archers. [They cross the bridge. Rom. What then? Where is Romaldi? Mich. How should I know? · Rom. [Aside.] Does he dissemble? They are here! I am lost! Enter Archers. Mich. Good day, worthy sirs. [Retires. Exempt. Honest miller, good day. We are in search of Count Romaldi, whom we are to take, dead or alive. Do you know his person? Mich. No. Rom. Thanks, merciful heaven! Exempt. [Reads.] "Five feet eight, &c., with a large scar on the back of the right hand." Rom. [Thrusting his hand in his bosom.] 'Twill betray me! Exempt. Twas a bite! The wretch Malvoglio has deposed that good Francisco is the brother of the vile Romaldi. Mich. How! Exempt. And that Francisco, tho' robbed, betrayed and mutilated, has endured every misery, and lived in continual dread of steel or poison, rather than bring this monster to the scaffold Mich. But, he'll come there at last! Exempt. We are told, he is among these moun tains. Mich. Oh, could I catch him by the collar! They Mich. You shall have it. Come. Never shall my door be shut against the houseless wretch. [Exit into house. [FRANCISCO and SELINA approach the bridge, he points to the Miller's house. She testifies joy, and admiration of the Miller. descend, he carefully guiding and aiding her. The Miller comes out, sees FRANCISCO, and they run into each other's arms. Mich. Welcome! A thousand times welcome! Sel. Ten thousand thanks to the saviour of my father! Mich. Your father, sweet lady? Sel. Oh yes! discovered to me by his mortal enemy. Mich. The monster Romaldi? Sel. Alas! Rom. [At the door.] I heard my name ! Mich. [Leading them to the door.] Come. I have a stranger Sel. [Seeing ROMALDI.] Ah! agony. Mich. How now? [FRANCISCO falls back, and covers his eyes with [ROMALDI retires. [FRANCISCO putting his hand towards her mouth, enjoins her silence with great eagerness. MICHELLI, by making signs of biting his right hand, asks FRANCISCO if it be RoMALDI. FRANCISCO turns away without answering. MICHELLI denotes his conviction it is ROMALDI, and hastily ascends to cross the bridge in search of the Archers; FRANCISCO entreats him back in vain. ROMALDI enters from the house, presenting his pistol. FRANCISCO opens his breast for him to shoot if he pleases. SELINA falls between them. Rom. No! Too much of your blood is upon my head! Be justly revenged: take mine! [ROMALDI offers the pistol, which FRANCISCO throws to a distance, and entreats him to fly by the valley.-ROMALDI signifies the impossibility, and runs distractedly from side to side; then, after FRANCISCO and SELINA'S entreaties, ascends to cross the bridge. Met at the edge of the hill by an Archer, he is driven back; they struggle on the bridge. The Archer's sword taken by ROMALDI; who, again attempting flight, is met by several Archers. ROMALDI maintains a retreating fight. FIAMETTA, BONAMO, STEPHANO, MONTANO, and Peasants follow the Archers. FRANCISCO and SELINA several times throw themselves between the assailants and RoMALDI. When the combatants have descended the hill, ROMALDI's foot slips, he falls, and FRANCISCO intervenes to guard his body. The Archers prepare to shoot and strike with their sabres; when the entreaties and efforts of FRANCISCO and SELINA are renewed. The Archers forbear for a moment, and FRANCISCO shields his body. Sel. Oh, forbear! Let my father's virtues plead for my uncle's errors! Bona. We all will entreat for mercy; since of Mich. For your father's sake, for your own sake. mercy we all have need for his sake, and for our welcome both. own, may it be freely granted! THE END, DRAMATIS PERSONE JULIO DARLEMONT ST. ALME FRANVAL DE L'EPEE DUPRE DOMINIQUE PIERRE PHILIPPE ETIENNE CHARLES. MADAME FRANVAL MARIANNE CLAUDINE Servants. ACT I. SCENE I-A Room in the Palace of Harancour.A whole-length portrait of a boy hangs in the centre of the room. Enter DUPRE and PIERRE. Dup. Don't you be so inquisitive. Dup. I won't be tormented. Pie. Come, come, Dupré; fellow-servants should be communicative, and tell one another everything that passes in the family. Dup. And, if they did, woe betide some families. Pie. Dupré, what is the meaning of all this mystery? Dup. Why do you nail your eyes on me thus? I won't be wormed and sifted. What is it you want to pick out of me? Pie. I want to know the meaning of your private interviews with my master's father: admitted to his closet, doors locked, cautionings-whisperings, Take care, take care; I have my suspicions. Dup. Suspicions! of what? Of no good, I promise you. Dup. Why, what do you suspect? Pie. To be plain with you, that you are aiding and abetting your old master to make his son, my young master, miserable: in short, you are making a match for him with the first President's daughter, against his will. Dup. Oh! is that all you know? Pie. All! and isn't that enough? Dup. Yes-no; I could almost wish the whole world knew-Ah! [Looking at the portrait. Pie. Knew what? How you fix your eyes on that Dup. Do I? Pie. Yes; you never pass through the room withont pausing on that portrait. Dup. Not half an hour ago, I saw him start from his frame, and stand before me. Pie. What do you mean? Are you crazy? he lives. Pie. Lives! what lives? Why, look, man, 'tis but a picture. DEAF AND DUMB. Dup. I do; and I remember, too, that you are Lar. I must contain myself. [Aside.] I see, I see, leave ne. gotten 369 talk of the young Count of Harancour; they say, he had the misfortune to be deaf and dumb. took him to Paris about eight years ago, in hopes St. A. 'Tis true, he had. Poor boy! my father that this affliction might be removed; and, whether improper medicines were administered to him, or that his constitution sunk under the efforts for his died in the arms of Dupré, who accompanied my cure, I know not; but there, in a short time, he that I so often catch Dupré gazing on that picture Pie. That's the secret; now I no longer wonder, of the young Count. Dup. I wish I were; but you and I can never be forgotten; even in the grave we shall be remem-father on this journey. bered, oily to be cursed, despised, and hated. [Exit. Dar. Must I hold wealth, reputation, nay, life itself, perhaps, at the disposal of this dotard?" slave! While he spoke it, audacious as the reptile His toad, he dired to fix his brazen eyes upon me. him accus. Am I not Darlemont, possessor of the Let fortune and the power of Harancour? Where is the man who will venture to support his accusation? Re-enter PIERRE. Besides, my son's marriage with the President's daughter will, I hope-Why are you loitering there? in. Pie. Sir, I am only waiting till my master comes Dar. What, is he abroad so early? Something disturbs him. Pie. Yes, sir; indeed, something or other seems to disturb every soul in the house. Dar. What's that you say? Come hither, Pierre; [Going. You know the deference due to your master's father; be faithful, and you shall profit by it. no prying-mark me, no babbling; talk not of me, I must have nor my affairs. As for Dupré, at times, you see, raves; he has lost his senses; he grows old. Pie. In your service, sir. St. A. Do you? 'Tis only natural in him: this ous family, which Dupré had long faithfully served. youth was the last remaining branch of an illustriMy poor Julio! He once saved my life; how bravely he exposed himself for me! Never, never will his image quit my heart. I see him at the moment of his departure; dumb as he was, his form spoke moving eloquence; every look was so affectionate, every action so expressive! Dear, dear, lamented Julio! he crushed me into his very heart, he now alive, I should enjoy his tender and endearas if he had foreknown, and would have told me, that that embrace was to be our last. Ah! were ing friendship; and my father, less opulent, would this lady that you love her; how, then, do you not then oppose my union with Marianne. know what her thoughts of you may be? Pie. But you say, sir, you have never yet told St. A. I cannot mistake them: our mutual tre hemours when we meet; my faultering voice, her downcast eyes; and other thousand, thousand delicious proofs of sympathizing thoughts. Dar. And, therefore, what would be punished in another, I overlook in him. Pay no regard to his wanderings, except, observe me, should you think them extraordinary, to inform me of them;-me alone, no other, not even my son. sons; which are not for you to inquire into. Obey I have my reame, and depend on my bounty. Pie. Your bounty? Humph! that may be well [Exit. enough; but the devil take your pride. A few years ago, this grand signior was but a petty merchant; and now Enter ST. ALME. St. A. Was not that my father? Pie. Yes, sir; you seem as much ruffled as he was. St. A. My soul is on the rack; yet, I am resolved this hated marriage never can, never shall take place. No; never, never will I renounce thee, my lovely Marianne! Pie. Then, sir, you must renounce your father's favour and fortune. St. A. Unfeeling prejudice! Is she not the daughter of a man, whose memory is honoured and beloved? The sister of a man of virtue and of talents? of Franval, the most renowned advocate of Toulouse? Pie. True, sir; but his talents are the only dependence of her and her mother. St. A. While my father was but a merchant, he would have thought himself honoured by my marriage with the daughter of the Seneschal Franval; but, since he has inherited the estates of his nephew and ward, the unhappy Count of Harancour, his nature seems changed; and he now listens only to the dictates of his ambition. Fir. Ah! the old servants of the family often | Pie. You know best, sir; but, for my part, I should wish for more substantial proofs; besides, her mother St. A. Born of a noble family, is, if possible, friend; he cannot but have discovered that I love more haughty than my father; but her son has a complete empire over her affections: he is my his sister; and, as our intimacy daily strengthens, I must presume that he approves my pretensions. Dom. [Without.] I'll just deliver my message myself. Pie. Hush! here comes their gossiping footman, ST. ALME.] you're an early stirrer. ha! What Ha, ha, ha, So, sir! [To ha, ha, ha! under my young lady's window; ha, ha, ha! St. A. I was only taking the morning air, I do Dom. Ha, ha, ha! nique? old as I am, if I hoped to see a young, blooming, |
