Comic Tragedies - Alcott Louisa May

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reward. Choose, – thy life is nought to me.

      Rod. Do but listen, Hugo. I have no gold; smile if thou wilt, but I am poor. This castle only is mine own, and I am seeking now a rich young bride whose wealth will hide my poverty. Be just, good Hugo, and forgive the harsh words I have spoken. Wait till I am wed, and I will pay thee well.

      Hugo. That will I not. I'll have no more of thee, false lord! The king will well reward me, and thou mayst keep thy gold. Farewell! Thou wilt see me once again.

      Rod. Stay, Hugo, stay! Give me but time; I may obtain the gold. Wait a little, and it shall be thine. Wilt thou not drink? 'Tis the wine thou likest so well. See! I poured it ready for thee.

      Hugo. Nay; I will serve myself. Wine of thy mixing would prove too strong for me [sits down and drinks. Rodolpho paces up and down waiting a chance to stab him]. Think quickly, my good lord; I must be gone [turns his head. R. raises his dagger. Hugo rising]. I'll wait no more; 'tis growing late, and I care not to meet the spirits which I hear now haunt thy castle. Well, hast thou the gold?

      Rod. Not yet; but if thou wilt wait —

      Hugo. I tell thee I will not. I'll be deceived no longer. Thou art mine, and I'll repay thy scornful words and sinful deeds by a prisoner's cell. And so, adieu, my lord. Escape is useless, for thou wilt be watched. Hugo is the master now!

[Exit Hugo.

      Rod. Thou cunning villain, I'll outwit thee yet. I will disguise myself, and watch thee well, and when least thou thinkest it, my dagger shall be at thy breast. And now one thing remains to me, and that is flight. I must leave all and go forth poor, dishonored, and alone; sin on my head, and fear within my heart. Will the sun never set? How slow the hours pass! In the first gloom of night, concealed in yonder old monk's robe, I'll silently glide forth, and fly from Hugo and this haunted house. Courage, Rodolpho, thou shalt yet win a name and fortune for thyself. Now let me rest awhile; I shall need strength for the perils of the night [lies down and sleeps].

[Enter Norna.

      Norna. Poor fool! thy greatest foe is here, – her thou shalt not escape. Hugo shall be warned, and thou alone shalt fall.

[She makes signs from the window and vanishes.

      Rod. [awakes and rises]. Ah, what fearful dreams are mine! Theresa – Louis – still they haunt me! Whither shall I turn? Who comes? [Enter Gaspard.] Art thou another phantom sent to torture me?

      Gasp. 'Tis I, leader of the king's brave guards, sent hither to arrest thee, my lord; for thou art charged with murder.

      Rod. Who dares to cast so foul a stain on Count Rodolpho's name.

      Gasp. My lord, yield thyself. The king may show thee mercy yet —

      Rod. I will yield, and prove my innocence, and clear mine honor to the king. Reach me my cloak yonder, and I am ready.

      [Gaspard turns to seek the cloak. Rodolpho leaps from the window and disappears.

      Gasp. Ha! he hath escaped, – curses on my carelessness! [Rushes to the window.] Ho, there! surround the castle, the prisoner hath fled! We'll have him yet, the blood-stained villain!

      [Exit Gaspard. Shouts and clashing of swords heard.

CURTAIN

      SCENE ELEVENTH

      [Norna's cave. Leonore and Adrian.]

      Adrian. Dear lady, can I do nought to while away the lonely hours? Shall I go forth and bring thee flowers, or seek thy home and bear away thy bird, thy lute, or aught that may beguile thy solitude? It grieves me that I can do so little for thee.

      Leonore. Nay, 'tis I should grieve that I can find no way to show my gratitude to thee, my brave deliverer. But wilt thou not tell me who thou art? I would fain know to whom I owe my life and liberty.

      Adrian. Nay, that I may not tell thee. I have sworn a solemn vow, and till that is fulfilled I may not cast aside this sorrowful disguise. Meanwhile, thou mayst call me Adrian. Wilt thou pardon and trust me still?

      Leonore. Canst thou doubt my faith in thee? Thou and old Norna are the only friends now left to poor Leonore. I put my whole heart's trust in thee. But if thou canst not tell me of thyself, wilt tell me why thou hast done so much for me, a friendless maiden?

      Adrian. I fear it will cause thee sorrow, lady; and thou hast grief enough to bear.

      Leonore. Do not fear. I would so gladly know —

      Adrian. Forgive me if I make thee weep: I had a friend, – most dear to me. He loved a gentle lady, but ere he could tell her this, he died, and bid me vow to watch above her whom he loved, and guard her with my life. I took the vow: that lady was thyself, that friend Count Louis.

      Leonore. Ah, Louis! Louis! that heart thou feared to ask is buried with thee.

      Adrian. Thou didst love him, lady?

      Leonore. Love him? Most gladly would I lie down within my grave tonight, could I but call him back to life again.

      Adrian. Grieve not; thou hast one friend who cannot change, – one who through joy and sorrow will find his truest happiness in serving thee. Hist! I hear a step: I will see who comes.

[Exit Adrian.

      Leonore. Kind, watchful friend, how truly do I trust thee!

[Re-enter Adrian.

      Adrian. Conceal thyself, dear lady, with all speed. 'Tis Count Rodolpho. Let me lead thee to the inner cave, – there thou wilt be safe.

      [They retire within; noise heard without. Enter Rodolpho.

      Rod. At last I am safe. Old Norna will conceal me till I can find means to leave the land. Ha! – voices within there. Ho, there! old wizard, hither! I have need of thee!

[Enter Adrian.

      Adrian. What wouldst thou?

      Rod. Nought. Get thee hence! I seek old Norna.

      Adrian. Thou canst not see her; she is not here.

      Rod. Not here? 'Tis false, – I heard a woman's voice within there. Let me pass!

      Adrian. 'Tis not old Norna, and thou canst not pass.

      Rod. Ah, then, who might it be, my most mysterious sir?

      Adrian. The Lady Leonore.

      Rod. Ha! – how came she hither? By my soul, thou liest! Stand back and let me go. She is mine!

      Adrian. Thou canst only enter here above my lifeless body. Leonore is here, and I am her protector and thy deadliest foe. 'Tis for thee to yield and leave this cell.

      Rod. No more of this, – thou hast escaped me once. Draw and defend thyself, if thou hast courage to meet a brave man's sword!

      Adrian. But for Leonore I would not stoop so low, or stain my sword; but for her sake I'll dare all, and fight thee to the last.

[They fight their way out. Enter Rodolpho.

      Rod. At length fate smiles upon me. I am the victor, – and now for Leonore! All danger is forgotten in the joy of winning my revenge on this proud girl! Thou art mine at last, Leonore, and mine forever! [Rushes towards the inner cave. Spirit of Theresa rises.] There 'tis again! I will not fly, – I do defy it! [Attempts to pass. Spirit touches him; he drops his sword and rushes wildly away.] 'Tis vain: I cannot – dare not pass. It comes, it follows me. Whither shall I fly?

[Exit. Enter Adrian wounded.

      Adrian. I have saved her once again, – but oh, this deathlike faintness stealing o'er me robs me of my strength. Thou art safe, Leonore, and I am content. [Falls fainting.]

[Enter Leonore.

      Leonore. They are gone. Ah, what has chanced? I heard his voice, and now 'tis still as death. Where is my friend? God grant he be not hurt! I'll venture forth and seek him [sees Adrian unconscious before her]. Oh, what is this? Adrian, kind friend, dost thou not hear me? There is

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