hough by
A chance--my love to him--my lowered love.

[_Turns away._

And yet I cannot rue
That he awaking sudden from the potion
Surprised yearning and truth upon my lips.
No, and I would that gentle words might be
As waters of enchantment on his grief.--
But of Yolanda--

[_Rises._

_Amaury._ Still I love her, still!

_Vittia_ (_strainedly_). As well she knows, so may refuse to wed
With Camarin.

_Amaury._ She?

_Vittia._ Since you are Lusignan,
Heir of a sceptred line,
And yet may reach--the realm.

_Amaury_ (_pierced_). Which ... do you mean,
She hopes of?

_Vittia._ Were it folly to make sure?

[_A pause._

_Amaury._ How? speak.

_Vittia._ Again unshameful? No; one thing
Alone would serve you. That I must not bring
My tongue to falter.

_Amaury._ Be it so.

_Vittia._ And yet ...

[_He has turned away._

Yet I must bend to! and, my lord, I will!
Will ... for you suffer!
Will, though indelicacy seem to soil
Whatever bloom I boasted.

[_Goes to him._

It is this:
To let her ... but for to-day ...
Think you ... for she's aware of my affection ...
Have chosen--to wed me.

_Amaury._ You!

_Vittia._ For to-day.
To-morrow I return to Venice, then
Denial.

_Amaury_ (_moved_). Lady--?

_Vittia._ I will bear it.

_Amaury._ ... Thus?

[_Struggles._

Then it shall be. And grateful I'll await
The issue's utterance. And stay, wear this--

[_Takes off a ring._

From her dead father's hand--
As a proof to her of any tie soever.
But now--for the sails make home along the sea--
Now of my mother.

_Vittia._ More, my lord?

[SMARDA _glides in._

_Amaury._ This only.
To-morrow when again she ... Scythian!

[_The slave is gleaming strangely._

_Vittia._ Smarda! what do you mean? why are you here?

[_Sees papers; takes them._

These--but not these alone have brought you! What?

[Follows SMARDA'S eye.

Of lord Amaury?

_S