Seeing his father look strangely upon
His mother; for lord Renier's doubt I still
Have been compelled to feed--to move Yolanda.
Here in this place then I shall be, at need.

[_She goes engrossedly._

_Smarda_ (_recalling the pledge; evilly_). A-ha! ha-ha! ha-ha!
if she but win!
A talisman with might upon the Moor!

[_Begins to dance--a charm held up before her._

If she but win! a-ha! a curse on him!

[_Whirls faster with a wild grace, swaying to and
fro, and chanting softly the while, till
suddenly a laugh in the corridor stops her, and_
PIETRO _is heard through the curtains adoring_
CIVA, _who pushes him into the Hall, then runs
away laughing._

_Pietro_ (_after her_). Hold, fair one! Stay! You look on Pietro
Of Venice! Pietro!

_Smarda_ (_to herself_). A-ha ... ha-ha!

_Pietro_ (_turning_). It is the slave! (_Grandly._) I greet you,
slave.

_Smarda._ Greeting!

_Pietro._ I, Pietro, who, as you know, am sought
By all the loveliest
Attending on the lords and high of Venice.

_Smarda._ So!... So!

_Pietro._ "The gentle Pietro," they say.
You may remember.

_Smarda._ So.

_Pietro._ "Proud Pietro!"
And then they sigh.

_Smarda._ So.

_Pietro._ Then they weep and pine--
"For Pietro"--until I must console them.

_Smarda_ (_going to where he poses; contemptuously_).
And for all this, O prince of paramours,

[_Spurns him._

My lady no doubt has bid you to sail from Venice?

_Pietro._ Eh?

_Smarda._ Eh! And she will hear no doubt with love
That you delay the powers of the Senate
Sent in your keeping to her?

_Pietro._ Slave! ... (_alarmed_) the papers?

_Smarda._ With love and with delight? since she awaits them?
With joy? When told your amorous mouthings yonder?

_Pietro._ Slave, she must never! You will take them to her!

[_Fumbles for papers._

In to her ... quickly!...
Dear slave, you will--and say if she inquire
That I was led astray
By the little Cyprian with guiling eyes
Who fell enamoured of me at the gate.

_Smarda._ Civa!

_Pietro._ The same! I sought to run away,