University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

A Gallery.
Enter Matilda and Maria, in great consternation.
MATILDA.
Not in her chamber? nor has been to night?
What wonders have I heard? Am I awake?
Can it be true, the story thou hast told,
Of haunted rooms, and of a nightly spectre?

MARIA.
'Tis but too true. And having told the tale
To my dear lady, who has got the keys,
I thought it right to rouse you from your rest,
And mention all I knew.

MATILDA.
Thou hast done well
To break my sleep, where she may be in danger.
Yet what the danger, Heav'n alone can tell,
From such a strange, and sense-confounding cause!
Wou'd thou hadst been discreet, and held thy tongue,
About these wonders, till the Count's return.

MARIA.
Ah! wou'd I had been silent! But my fears
Betray'd my prudence; thoughtless of th'event.

MATILDA.
Where lie the chambers which 'tis said are haunted?

MARIA.
Alas! I know not! Blaise, if he were here,
Cou'd shew the way; and so cou'd good Lapont,
Who, urg'd alike by courage and by zeal,
Hurried to seek, and to protect the Countess.

MATILDA.
A dreadful apprehension seizes me!
I like not such protectors! Dearest friend!
The fearless temper of thy gen'rous mind
May urge thee on to unsuspected peril!
My heart is on the rack till thou art found.
Thou cou'dst not bear Lapont! And thy sure eye
Has never fail'd to read a villain's heart.
What can be done? Knock at the Marquis' door?
Call up the Count?—The Count?—Ha! he can guide,
Can surely guide us to those horrid chambers.
That way he sleeps. Be quick, and give alarm!
[Exit Maria.
Why wou'd the Countess run this needless hazard?

[Exit.
[Lapont enters cautiously from the other side.]
LAPONT.
Now is the time, when all are wrapt in sleep!
All but my victims, who shall feel my arm!
Since every project to prevent this woman,
This haughty woman, from her fatal prying,
Has been the means, by some accursed chance!
Of urging her to fathom the dread secret.
But she as well might have essay'd to crush
The deadly serpent with her delicate hands,
As to destroy, or counteract my vengeance!
Now her proud spirit—
[Count of Montval enters from the other side of the stage, with an air of distress and dismay.]
“He return'd so soon!
“Too early, yet too late!”

COUNT.
What now Lapont?
Is aught discover'd? Hell itself is here!
[Striking his bosom.]
And thou the demon that has made it so!—
O! had I never listen'd to thy counsel!

LAPONT.
'Twere waste of time or I cou'd answer you.
Keep your own secret, and you've nought to fear!

COUNT.
Yes! Conscience! Conscience! waking, but too late!
I loath myself, my crime, and its success!
Nor time, nor circumstance can ever cure
The living ulcer, that corrodes my heart!
Forc'd to adore, by that unerring justice,
Which all our arts can neither bribe nor blind,—
The radiant virtue which my deeds pollute,
My soul can never taste of comfort more!
O! never! never!—

LAPONT.
Wretched canting this!
Worthy the bigot monk, and cloister'd cell,
Where solitude and fasting ape the tone
Of coward penitence, and pious zeal!

COUNT.
In vain! you mock the horrors I endure!
They merit sympathy, and not derision,
And most from thee, the partner of my guilt.
How can I face the Countess!—how support
Her pure embraces!

LAPONT
(sneeringly).
Trial too severe!—
But, if you value her esteem, or love,
For shou'd she know you, both were lost for ever,
Quickly depart!—Away! with speed, for Paris,
And never let her know of your return.
[Aside.]
“His conscientious qualms must not be trusted.”

COUNT.
But are you certain she has no suspicion?

LAPONT.
Back! back! where welcome tidings shall await you.
I'll soon be master of the fatal keys:
The Countess tried, and laugh'd at all they shew'd her.
The secret door, to her's a secret still.
Away! away! or we may be discover'd!
Teresa has the keys, and they'll be mine.
[Aside, going out.]
“Poor easy dupe! he credits all I say!”

COUNT.
Determin'd villain! had I never known thee,
I had been blest! But I must still dissemble,
Till the time's riper to defy his malice.
I'll go and order that my horse be ready,
Just look, tho' loth, towards the hated chamber,
To see that all is still, and all secure,
And then, with heavy heart! depart for Paris.

[Exit.