an._ Now to rest,
If not to sleep.

_Gycia._ Good night, my love; farewell.

_Asan._ Nay, not farewell, my love!

_Gycia._ Ah yes, farewell!
Farewell! farewell for ever!

[_Exeunt._

SCENE III.--_Outside the banquet hall. Darkness._

GYCIA _hurriedly descends the steps, closing the great doors of the
banquet hall softly._

_Gycia._ I hear no sound within; the lights are gone,
And all the hall is dark. These doors alone
Of all the many outlets of the palace
Remain unlocked. There is not now a moment
To lose ere midnight comes, and here I hold
The safety of our Cherson. Oh, my love!
I could not tell thee all, nor recompense
Thy faith in me, since duty held me fast--
My duty which should also prove thy safety,
For now the solemn promise of the State
Is pledged to hold thee harmless, and defeat
The shameful plot I knew was never thine,
Without one drop of bloodshed. All my path
Shows clear as noonday, and I save our city
And those who with thee err in innocence,
Why do I hesitate? Yet does some dark
And dreadful presage of impending ill
So haunt me that I know not how to face it.
I dare not do it. I must stay with him,
Or bring him forth with me.

[_Ascends the steps, throws open the doors, and finds all
darkness and silence._

Asander! husband!
It is thy wife who calls! Come forth, Asander!

[_Listens._

Nay, there is no one there. I cannot stay;
This is mere folly. I must keep my word;
There's not a moment's time, or all is lost.
Which is the key?

[_Closes the doors and locks them with a clang._

I must go forth alone
To the Senate-chamber. I have saved our Cherson
And my Asander!

[_Totters down the steps and exit hurriedly._

SCENE IV.--_The Senate-chamber._

ZETHO _and_ Senators; _afterwards_ GYCIA.

_Zetho._ What is the hour?

_Bardanes._ It wants five minutes only
To midnight. Think you she will come?

_Zetho._ I know her.
She is the soul of honour, and would keep
Her word if 'twere her death.

_Bard._ But would she keep it
If 'twere her lover's?

_Zetho._ She thinks not that it is,
Nor should it be, indeed, were we but true
As I believe her.

_Bard._ True! There