SCENE IV.
Outside of Paolo's Cave.
Enter Florella, goes to the mouth of the Cave,
stamps three times, and Paolo appears; she informs
him Rinaldo approaches with Aurelia—they conceal
themselves.—Enter Donato (the Old Man of the
Hill) whom Paolo, peeping out, perceives, and recollecting,
him, the occasion of his disgrace and
sufferings, pursues, determining to murder him!—
Florella, on the lurk, is met by the Baron much irritated,
and alarmed at Aurelia's escape, whom she
informs is with Rinaldo hovering near, pointing off
to them—he starts—gives her a purse to keep them
in view till his return, with aid; she promises compliance,
motioning her detestation of them both—
Paolo returns with his dagger bloody, and Donato's
habit and rosary—a thought strikes Florella—she
requests their use, and they hurry with them into
the Cave, dropping, in their haste, his blood-stained
dagger.—Rinaldo and Aurelia enter, meeting
Roscella and Rosaria; they affectionately
exchange embraces; and Roscella, thanking Heaven
and Rinaldo for his Daughter's deliverance, joins
their hands—Rinaldo shudders, throws himself at his
feet, and, drawing from his belt a proclamation,
avows himself to be the daring Robber there proscribed!
and, unworthy of so rich a prize, restores
her to her Father, till penitence procures his pardon.
Florella, disguised as Donato, approaches from the
Cave, and bows to him—the Baron's trumpet sounds
without—alarmed, Rinaldo requests Aurelia, &c.
to seek for safety; he, determining to become an inmate
of Donato's Cave—Roscella and Aurelia depart;
Rinaldo follows Florella into the Cave, and
Rosalia, exclaiming
May Angels looking down from Mercy's throne,
Grant thy Repentance may thy Crimes atone!
stumbles over Paolo's dagger, which perceiving
stained with blood, alarmed for Rinaldo's safety,
she snatches up, timidly pursues his footsteps, and
enters the Cave.
