University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

A small apartment in the castle. Enter Rudigere musing gloomily, and muttering to himself some time before he speaks aloud.
Rud.
No, no; it is to formless air dissolv'd,
This cherish'd hope, this vision of my brain!
[Pacing to and fro, and then stopping and musing as before.
I daily stood contrasted in her sight
With an ungainly fool; and when she smiled,
Methought—But wherefore still upon this thought,
Which was perhaps but a delusion then,
Brood I with ceaseless torment? Never, never!
O never more on me, from Orra's eye,
Approving glance shall light, or gentle look!
This day's disgrace mars all my goodly dreams.
My path to greatness is at once shut up.
Still in the dust my grov'ling fortune lies.
[Striking his breast in despair.
Tame thine aspiring spirit, luckless wretch!
There is no hope for thee!
And shall I tame it? No, by saints and devils!
The laws have cast me off from every claim
Of house and kindred, and within my veins
Turn'd noble blood to baseness and reproach:
I'll cast them off: why should they be to me
A bar, and no protection?
[Pacing again to and fro, and muttering low for some time before he speaks aloud.
Ay; this may still within my toils enthral her;
This is the secret weakness of her mind
On which I'll clutch my hold.

Enter Cathrina behind him, laying her hand upon him.
Cath.
Ha! speakst thou to thyself?

Rud.
(starting).
I did not speak.

Cath.
Thou didst; thy busy mind gave sound to thoughts
Which thou didst utter with a thick harsh voice,
Like one who speaks in sleep. Tell me their meaning.

Rud.
And dost thou so presume? Be wise; be humble.
[After a pause.
Has Orra oft of late requested thee
To tell her stories of the restless dead;
Of spectres rising at the midnight watch
By the lone trav'ller's bed?

Cath.
Wherefore of late dost thou so oft inquire
Of what she says and does?

Rud.
Be wise, and answer what I ask of thee;
This is thy duty now.

Cath.
Alas, alas! I know that one false step
Has o'er me set a stern and ruthless master.

Rud.
No, madam; 'tis thy grave and virtuous seeming;
Thy saint-like carriage, rigid and demure,
On which thy high repute so long has stood,
Endowing thee with right of censorship
O'er every simple maid, whose cheerful youth
Wears not so thick a mask, that o'er thee sets
This ruthless master. Hereon rests my power:
I might expose, and therefore I command thee.

Cath.
Hush, hush! approaching steps!
They'll find me here!
I'll do whate'er thou wilt.

Rud.
It is but Maurice: hie thee to thy closet,
Where I will shortly come to thee. Be thou
My faithful agent in a weighty matter,
On which I now am bent, and I will prove
Thy stay and shelter from the world's contempt.

Cath.
Maurice to find me here! Where shall I hide me?

Rud.
Nowhere, but boldly pass him as he enters.
I'll find some good excuse; he will be silent:
He is my agent also.

Cath.
Dost thou trust him?

Rud.
Avarice his master is, as shame is thine:
Therefore I trust to deal with both.—Away!

Enter Maurice, passing Cathrina as she goes out.
Maur.
What, doth the grave and virtuous Cathrina
Vouchsafe to give thee of her company?

Rud.
Yes, rigid saint! she has bestow'd upon me
Some grave advice to bear with pious meekness
My late discomfiture.

Maur.
Ay, and she call'd it,
I could be sworn! heaven's judgment on thy pride.

Rud.
E'en so: thou'st guess'd it.—Shall we to the ramparts
And meet the western breeze?

[Exeunt.