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SCENE V. — The COUNT OF LARA'S rooms. Enter the COUNT.

       Table of Contents

      Lara. There's nothing in this world so sweet as love,

      And next to love the sweetest thing is hate!

      I've learned to hate, and therefore am revenged.

      A silly girl to play the prude with me!

      The fire that I have kindled—

      (Enter FRANCISCO.)

      Well, Francisco,

      What tidings from Don Juan?

       Fran. Good, my lord;

      He will be present.

       Lara. And the Duke of Lermos?

       Fran. Was not at home.

       Lara. How with the rest?

       Fran. I've found

      The men you wanted. They will all be there,

      And at the given signal raise a whirlwind

      Of such discordant noises, that the dance

      Must cease for lack of music.

       Lara. Bravely done.

      Ah! little dost thou dream, sweet Preciosa,

      What lies in wait for thee. Sleep shall not close

      Thine eyes this night! Give me my cloak and sword. [Exeunt.

      SCENE VI. — A retired spot beyond the city gates. Enter

      VICTORIAN and HYPOLITO.

       Vict. O shame! O shame! Why do I walk abroad

      By daylight, when the very sunshine mocks me,

      And voices, and familiar sights and sounds

      Cry, "Hide thyself!" O what a thin partition

      Doth shut out from the curious world the knowledge

      Of evil deeds that have been done in darkness!

      Disgrace has many tongues. My fears are windows,

      Through which all eyes seem gazing. Every face

      Expresses some suspicion of my shame,

      And in derision seems to smile at me!

       Hyp. Did I not caution thee? Did I not tell thee

      I was but half persuaded of her virtue?

       Vict. And yet, Hypolito, we may be wrong,

      We may be over-hasty in condemning!

      The Count of Lara is a cursed villain.

       Hyp. And therefore is she cursed, loving him.

       Vid. She does not love him! 'T is for gold! for gold!

       Hyp. Ay, but remember, in the public streets

      He shows a golden ring the Gypsy gave him,

      A serpent with a ruby in its mouth.

       Vict. She had that ring from me! God! she is false!

      But I will be revenged! The hour is passed.

      Where stays the coward?

       Hyp. Nay, he is no coward;

      A villain, if thou wilt, but not a coward.

      I've seen him play with swords; it is his pastime.

      And therefore be not over-confident,

      He'll task thy skill anon. Look, here he comes.

      (Enter LARA followed by FRNANCISCO)

      Lara. Good evening, gentlemen.

       Hyp. Good evening, Count.

       Lara. I trust I have not kept you long in waiting.

       Vict. Not long, and yet too long. Are you prepared?

       Lara. I am.

       Hyp. It grieves me much to see this quarrel

      Between you, gentlemen. Is there no way

      Left open to accord this difference,

      But you must make one with your swords?

       Vict. No! none!

      I do entreat thee, dear Hypolito,

      Stand not between me an my foe. Too long

      Our tongues have spoken. Let these tongues of steel

      End our debate. Upon your guard, Sir Count.

      (They fight. VICTORIAN disarms the COUNT.)

      Your life is mine; and what shall now withhold me From sending your vile soul to its account?

      Lara. Strike! strike!

       Vict. You are disarmed. I will not kill you.

      I will not murder you. Take up your sword.

      (FRANCISCO hands the COUNT his sword, and HYPOLITO interposes.)

      Hyp. Enough! Let it end here! The Count of Lara

      Has shown himself a brave man, and Victorian

      A generous one, as ever. Now be friends.

      Put up your swords; for, to speak frankly to you,

      Your cause of quarrel is too slight a thing

      To move you to extremes.

       Lara. I am content,

      I sought no quarrel. A few hasty words,

      Spoken in the heat of blood, have led to this.

       Vict. Nay, something more than that.

       Lara. I understand you.

      Therein I did not mean to cross your path.

      To me the door stood open, as to others.

      But, had I

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