_Matteo._ But should he come?

[_Again looks around._

_Osio._ I'll fear him not. Never! For odium It were to G.o.d that I a moment should-- Him black with unbelief!

But come he will not ... since he left deluded.

Or if he should a voice has pledged to me Full absolution if--

_Matteo._ What, Signor?

_Osio._ Peace!

He will not. So again mount up!

_Matteo_ (_unwillingly_). Signor!

_Osio._ Mount, mount, and strain the most to get me more.

[_Matteo loathly crosses and again ascends the pedestal. But scarcely has done so when a knock comes at the gate. He steps down into the shadow of the image--Osio into bower.

Then Marina appears from the house hesitantly._

_Marina._ Who knocks? Signor Aloysius, is it you?

_Aloysius._ Ai, ai! and weary: open!

[_Being admitted._ This day! this day!

The search till he was found; and then the toil-- The patient physic poured Vainly it seemed unto the proud or poor.

[_Taking off medicine pouch._

But it at last is done. Now, the relief-- He came reluctant? and to her outpoured A lava of wild purpose and revenge When he was told?

_Marina._ He? (_staring_) Signor Rizzio?

You have not brought him?

_Aloysius._ Brought? Is he not here?

_Marina_ (_dismayed_). Signor!

_Aloysius._ But how? but how? (_dropping pouch._) Not he? and Bruno?

Who had been with him, Whom he had but left To search, sudden it seemed, for Osio?

Not Bruno! whom I pledged to find and lead him Here to her--since we learned that Osio Has fled from Naples?

_Marina._ Signor, neither! none!

[_Involuntarily._

O he must come, or she will die!

_Aloysius._ ... Die?...

_Marina._ New evils gather ever in vendetta!

_Aloysius._ You run from them too rapidly to death, Which comes but when it will--and not from sleep In which I left her.

_Marina._ But her sleep has grown To fever that has flowed into her brain!

Her heart is full of moans, Her lips of murmurs!

She tore the crucifix from off her neck And flung it from her, saying that it was The arms of Osio; and then cried out That she was virgin and immaculately Had borne a child, that now was laid in the tomb, But should arise again. Then would she start And say there is no G.o.d, but only stars, But stars, a heaven of stars! For which Signora Bianca ignorant arose and chid her.

_Aloysius._ And all unduly did! This must be stayed, Not made immedicable.

Go in; prepare the herbs that I left with you.

[_She goes--as he stands pondering--past Bianca, who enters._

_Bianca_ (_pausing, then with resolute bitterness_).

So you have come and have not brought him? Well, The insult of this secrecy must end, The shrouding and affronting soil of it.

I'll sift in doubt no more, but have the truth.

_Aloysius._ Signora?

_Bianca._ O, fatality's in the world, From atom to infinity it may be, But there is also sinning. Which is this?

And whence is it If she though sunk in sleep Says ever "I must go into the bower!"

And ever with elusive lips "the bower!"

Whom would she meet?

_Aloysius._ The bower?

_Bianca._ Whom! or if No guilt is in her why this grievous haunting?

_Aloysius._ I will go to her.

_Bianca_ (_angrily_). So to evade confessing?

To avoid granting That it is Osio?

That it is he has been her paramour?

That he it is has plundered her with pa.s.sion-- Whose proof is the child Which Heaven has struck dead?

Will go? Nor first deny That rightly Rizzio has turned from her And now perchance is seeking Osio----

[_Breaks off, for the gate opens and Rizzio slowly enters. A deadly purpose is on him as he looks around._

_Rizzio_ (_at length_). You clothe my thought, Bianca, in the flesh Of speech that I have shunned: but we shall know---- Soon know, for I have tracked him to this gate.

[_To Aloysius, solemnly._

Where is he?

_Aloysius_ (_amazed_). He?... Osio?

_Rizzio._ So! reveal him!

_Aloysius._ But--this is error!... he is gone from Naples!