Through which all eyes seem gazing. Every face Expresses some suspicion of my shame, And in derision seems to smile at me! HYPOLITO. Did I not caution thee? Did I not tell thee VICTORIAN. And yet, Hypolito, we may be wrong, HYPOLITO. And therefore is she cursed, loving him. VICTORIAN. She does not love him! 'Tis for gold! for gold! HYPOLITO. Ay, but remember, in the public streets VICTORIAN. She had that ring from me! God! she is false ! But I will be revenged! The hour is passed. Where stays the coward? HYPOLITO. Nay, he is no coward; A villain, if thou wilt, but not a coward. I've seen him play with swords; it is his pastime. He'll task thy skill anon. Look, here he comes. (Enter LARA, followed by FRANCISCO.) LARA. Good evening, gentlemen. HYPOLITO. Good evening, Count. LARA. I trust I have not kept you long in waiting. VICTORIAN. Not long, and yet too long. Are you prepared? I am. LARA. HYPOLITO. It grieves me much to see this quarrel Between you, gentlemen. Is there no way Left open to accord this difference, But you must make one with your swords? VICTORIAN. No! none ! I do entreat thee, dear Hypolito, Stand not between me and my foe. Too long Our tongues have spoken. Let these tongues of steel End our debate. Upon your guard, Sir Count! (They fight. VICTORIAN disarms the COUNT.) Your life is mine; and what shall now withhold me From sending your vile soul to its account? Strike! strike! LARA. VICTORIAN. You are disarmed. I will not kill you. I will not murder you. Take up your sword. (FRANCISCO hands the COUNT his sword, and HYPOLITO interposes.) HYPOLITO. Enough! Let it end here! The Count of Lara LARA. I am content. I sought no quarrel. A few hasty words, VICTORIAN. Nay, something more than that. LARA. I understand you. Therein I did not mean to cross your path. Never would I have sought to win her from you. The truth stands now revealed; she has been false To both of us. VICTORIAN. Ay, false as hell itself! LARA. In truth, I did not seek her; she sought me ; VICTORIAN. Say, can you prove this to me? Oh, pluck out These awful doubts, that goad me into madness! Let me know all ! all! all ! LARA. You shall know all. Here is my page, who was the messenger Question him. Was it not so, Between us. Question him. Francisco? FRANCISCO. Ay, my lord. LARA. If further proof Is needful, I have here a ring she gave me. VICTORIAN. Pray let me see that ring! It is the same! (Throws it upon the ground, and tramples upon it.) We both have been abused, been much abused! Though 'tis, alas! too late. So fare you well! Regard me as your friend. Once more, farewell! Farewell, Sir Count. HYPOLITO. [Exeunt VICTORIAN and HYPOLITO. LARA. Farewell! farewell! Thus have I cleared the field of my worst foe! [Exit with FRANCISCO. |