instantly he forgot all but her. He
is ours once more; tomorrow will see him resign his wealth and liberty
in my hands; and much time shall not elapse, ere that first sacrifice is
followed by a second.

_Jer._ And does then this count Benvolio inspire you with no
apprehensions? As viceroy of Messina his power is great; and how to
escape the vigilance of his suspicious eye--

_Pri._ And by what means then have I veiled from every eye the fate of
the wretched Lodovico, who for twenty years has expiated in the gloom of
our subterraneous cells the crime of having revealed our convent
secrets; and yet who on earth suspects, that he has not long since
sought the grave, the victim of an accidental malady? Jeronymo, fear
nothing; give me but time, and the success of my design is certain.

_Jer._ I would fain believe it so-- yet forget not, that father
Michael--

_Pri._ His fate is decided. It's true, I as yet accuse him only on
suspicions, but these suspicions are enough. I will not live in fear,
and tomorrow-- some one approaches.

_Jer._ As well as the moonlight enables me to discern, tis
Venoni-- perhaps he returns hither, hoping that the viceroy may not be
yet departed.

_Pri._ Let us retire. I have still much to say to you-- summon our
friends to my cell, that our proceedings may be finally arranged.
Afterwards we will rejoin Venoni, and spare no pains to confirm him in
that resolution, which secures at once his destruction and my revenge.
Silence! he is here!

[Exeunt.

_Venoni_ enters hastily.

_Venoni._ Benvolio! friend! he is gone! how abruptly did I quit him! how
ungratefully have I repaid his kindness! ah, whither is my reason fled!
he said-- I was in danger! in danger? and what then have I left to fear?
what have I still left to lose? my life? oh, I were happy-- too, too
happy-- if the moment of parting with it were even now arrived!

Enter father _Michael_, with a dark lantern; which he afterwards
just opens to observe Venoni, and having ascertained his person,
closes it again looking round cautiously.

_Mi._ (_in a low, hurried voice_) That voice could be none but his.
Venoni! answer! is it thou, Venoni?

_Venoni._ Who speaks? ha! father Michael?

_Mi._ (_closing the lantern_) I sought you-- I must speak with you-- I
must save you!

_Venoni._ Save me?

_Mi._ The viceroy has been here: was he admitted?

_Venoni._ He was-- I saw him.

_Mi._ Mentioned he a letter?

_Venon