University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

Chamber.
Count and Otho.
COUNT.
Rowed the boat whither?

OTHO.
Down the stream, my lord.
Their search is for the drowned.

COUNT.
Who told thee so?

OTHO.
They said themselves it would be so.

COUNT.
Why quit them?
The sun is set—we risk our secret thus!
I strive to think the knave who shot so near me,
Aimed well by chance alone. But this is folly!
Why let them go?

OTHO.
The Countess held me here
Till these were past the haling to.

COUNT.
Straight down?

OTHO.
Not in midstream, but nearest this side yet.
Our eyes may scarcely reach them in the dusk.

COUNT.
Why should they choose the twilight for their search?
Thou canst not cross with them to-night?

OTHO.
I will.
The moon is past the full—at nine she rises—
They shall be taught that all must cross at dawn;
And why to-night we seek a landing-place.

COUNT.
Make them search upwards—then run thou below.
Swift, boy, not hasty—lest the work be botched.
Throw the sword wide enough, and sink the corpse.

OTHO.
My thrice-repeated lesson is but short:
I shall be perfect. We have most to fear
From such quick questioning as the Ferryman's.

COUNT.
I cannot be excused at supper-time:
The Countess wills it so to please her hosts.
All must sit down, she says.

OTHO.
Must I?

COUNT.
And these!
We play the prodigals—the swine feed with us.
Our troughs are served at eight.

OTHO.
The moon is later.
Even if the boat were ready, she is not:
Nor can we do without her.

COUNT.
Hark! the clock!
[Clock strikes.
Come this way till they call.

[Exeunt Count and Otho.
(Enter Countess and Catherine.)
COUNTESS.
The boat is gone?
And none within it but the ferrymen?
If so—the better!—Almost eight o'clock?

CATHERINE.
The bell jars still—not hear it?

COUNTESS.
Why dost look
So thoughtfully upon me, gentle Kate?
Let us be merry, if we can, to-night—
Both never will again. What grieves thee, child?

CATHERINE.
'Twere better go to sleep!

COUNTESS.
Without our supper?

CATHERINE.
Leave it for healthier appetites. In truth
I never saw a face so pale alive!
Those eyes affright me.

COUNTESS.
Quarrel with mine eyes?

CATHERINE.
They look like gleeds of fire upon the snow!
My lady drops the answers to her questions;
Then stoops, like echo, for a word or two!
Not hear the clock?

COUNTESS.
Thine eyes are gentler, Kate.
I pray thee do not leave me, though I fright thee!
I would be loved by some one that is good.

CATHERINE.
Let us prepare for bed.

COUNTESS.
No!—supper first.
A cup of wine to bring my colour back.—
We will have such a supper here to-night,
As may be talked of after I am gone.
Canst love me, sister Kate, indeed?

CATHERINE.
Methought
I loved before, yet find it was but little—
Nor could I love the happy half so much.

COUNTESS.
Then shalt thou profit by my teaching, child.
Our homily so late as yesterday,
Was pride—the scorn of baseness—gentle blood:
To-night I give the sequel.

CATHERINE.
Hark!—they call.

COUNTESS.
Supper at last.

CATHERINE.
You tremble!

COUNTESS.
Stop awhile—

CATHERINE.
I pray sit down.

COUNTESS.
At table—so I will.

[Exeunt.