uct towards yourself.
Do you know me? I am Orsina, the deluded, forsaken Orsina--perhaps
forsaken only for your daughter. But how is she to blame? Soon she also
will be forsaken; then another, another, and another. Ha! (_As if in
rapture_) What a celestial thought! When all who have been victims of
his arts shall form a band, and we shall be converted into Maenads, into
furies; what transport will it be to tear him piecemeal, limb from
limb, to wallow through his entrails, and wrench from its seat the
traitor's heart--that heart which he promised to bestow on each, and
gave to none. Ha! that indeed will be a glorious revelry!

Scene VIII.

Claudia, Odoardo, Orsina.

_Enter_ Claudia.

CLAUDIA (_looks round, and as soon as she espies her husband,
runs towards him_.)

I was right. Our protector, our deliverer! Are you really here? Do I
indeed behold you, Odoardo? From their whisper and their manner I knew
it was the case. What shall I say to you, if you are still ignorant?
What shall I say to you if you already know everything? But we are
innocent. I am innocent. Your daughter is innocent. Innocent; wholly
innocent.

ODOARDO (_who, on seeing his wife, has endeavoured to compose
himself_).

'Tis well. Be calm, and answer me.--(_To_ Orsina)--Not that I doubt
your information, Madam. Is the Count dead?

CLAUDIA.

He is.

ODOARDO.

Is it true that the Prince spoke this morning to Emilia, at the church?

CLAUDIA.

It is; but if you knew how much she was alarmed--with what terror she
rushed home.

ORSINA.

Now, was my information false?

ODOARDO (_with a bitter laugh_).

I would not that it were! For worlds I would not that it were!

ORSINA.

Am I a lunatic?

ODOARDO (_wildly pacing the apartment_).

Oh!--nor as yet am I.

CLAUDIA.

You commanded me to be calm, and I obeyed--My dear husband, may I--may
I entreat----

ODOARDO.

What do you mean? Am I not calm? Who can be calmer than I? (_Putting
restraint upon himself_.) Does Emilia know that Appiani is dead?

CL