^^ *0^ Author Title - .„..2S.„......... 75-29 Imprint - 1^16 m^:>fOicsxo^,KJSXix:i^c8:B:^^ "¥RA PAOLA^ A PLAY IN r^UR ACTS, CLARHNCH OUSI.EY AND BEN C. MASON, Copyrighted 1896, by Ou.sley & Mason. (all rights reserved. ) N. B.— This copy is the property of the authors, and must be returned to them at Galveston, Texas. r^a83C8»»3C8:8:8:^c83C8:^C83?;e3C8»»:^C8»»3^»»»:^ 3 "FRA PAOLA," A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS, BY Clarence Ousley and Ben C. Mason. 4 Copyrighted 1896, by Ousley & ^son. (all RIGHTS RESERVED. J ^ dyCi. t-f galveston, texas: Knapp Bros,, Book and Job Printers, 1896, ^^Ca^^/ V f\ <^> CHARACTERS. FRA PAOLA Ah Old Priest LUCIEN DeBRAY Lover of Mile. Corsica PIETRO Corsica's Foster-father SERAFINO A Footman GEN'L HENRI DeBRAY Father of Lncicn ELISE GAFFERI A Corsica?i Singer , known to the public as Mile. Corsica. FIORDELESSA Corsica's Maid LUCIA Fra Paola's Housekeeper LITTLE MARIA A Child Niece of Lucia Police, Guards, Judges, Officers of the Court, Peasants, Etc. PLACE; Piacenza, Italy. TIME: 1819. Twelve Hours are supposed to elapse between acts one and two; one month between acts two or three; twelve hours between acts three and four. No intermission between first and sec- pind picture in act three. "FRA PAOLA," A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS, BY Clarence Ousley and Ben. C. Mason. ACT I. Scene — Mile. Oorsica's villa at Pdaoeuza; a richly furnished drawing ix)iom in ilia style of the Empire. Arches R. open initio conservatoiy, which is shown. Arches 'alt back, thix>ugh which are 'S.e?n the tei-rac^e and the garden, wi'th the river Po in the distjanoe. (^A'heu curtain rises Soratino is discov- ered dusting and polishing the furniture.) Sera— (Dusting) Work, work, work! Nothing buit work from morning till nighr. One might ithink the King himself were coming. For three long days I have slept, except at udghit, nor eaiten. except at meal times. Never a mo- ment's rest do I get, but that I am dis- turbed by some one. Firsit comes old Pietro, who sia5's: "Serafino, go to the raiaster's rooms" — calls theji the master's rooiMis, as ithoii.^h he w&re already in- stalled in the bomse. "CtO to the masiter's ro«>mis," says be, ''and d'o this or that;" mosit frequently "do this and tha't," and beforie I can do this and take a map, ere' I undertake that — ^nay, before I can giett a cup of wine ere I undiertake tbis, along coimes the houisekeepor, who says: " Siera- fino, dast the drawing room," and before I can find the dmsifing )irush, here conies the mistresis, Mile. Corsica, bersielf, who says: "Serafino, now do plie'ase keep siob^tr and 'Sif:'ay awake, and attend to tihe mas- tor, aind here's a franc [looks at bis haiidj nay, here was itbe frane-ntbe wine seller bais Ic now. I had the wine; bat, alas! that, toovhais paissed away. And aigain old Pietro' comes along, the old villian. "iSeraifinO', goi to the. mas'ter's rooms" — s^till the master's/ go' to the raaister's rooms," says be, '/and do this or that," generally, ''do this and that;" and ag-aln coimeistbe bouisokeeper, who siays: "Sera- fino, the drawing room needs dusting," and yet again comes the mi'stress, who says: "Seirafino, do keep siober and stay ajwake, and prepare for the master, and here's a franc for you — " nay, here was the franc, nioiw gone to keep the Oftber company. "Keep sober and !stay awake," as if I could keep sober and stay awiake while her commands always end with a 6 franc. As I am now ait the' dusting, the raistrefis is next in order. By all the svaints, I hear the rustle of heir skirts, and limag-ine the jingle of the franc. (Works furiously.) [Eniter L. 3. E. Lucia. She stop's in asitonishment.] -, Lucia — The saints preserve us I Wha.t miracle is this? Sera — (Turning tO' her) Oh, it is you, is it? I thought it was n|fl*iistire^^i Lucia — Which accounits for your sud- den fit of industry. I thouglit it was a di-eam. Sera — Nay, may. no dream, but a soiber"" truth, foireitelling how I would toil and slave for you. Lucia — Pshaw! You should raither say, ho'W I should have to toil and slave for you! But w here's your mistress? Sera — (Pointing to mirror befoire whiich she stands) Behold the mistres of my heart! liUcia — Pshtaw! Do stop your silly talk; I am ashamed of yoii! Where is your misitress? I have no time to waste; I come on important busine'S's from Fra Paolo. Sera — I doubt if you can see her. The m.istTess is engaged. (Knowingly) Oh verv much engaged, indeed. But (mys- teriovsly) lanon, she will have sonne most important biisiji'esis for Fra Paolo. Lucia, — Indeed. (Siite.) Wh'ait busi- nesis ? Sera — lOh, most importanlt, and most serious business. She wiill require his churehly offices. Lucia; — For wha:t purpose? Siera — ^To perform ttlie righlt of mai'- riage. Lucia — Oh, ho! With whom? Sera — ^I would it were 't^'ixt j'ou and me. liUci'a^Bah! With whom? Sera — (Impaltiently) With my master, who is coming today, of course— him foa* whom I am dusting and toiling, working and slaving, lieeping aiwiake and staying so)ber, until I vam almosit ready for my grave! Lucia — So? I had not heard of thiis. And who is thifS new masitieir, I pray ? Sera — I know not, except th'alt he is a poor student, and plajs upon; the flultie. Lucia — ^^A pool* student who plays upon the flute! And is thait the best husiband she can get? Truly yo'ur mistress is a eltrange woman. iSera — How do you m^ean? How sltrangie? Lucia— Is it not strange that one so rich shiO'Uld be content 'to wed, 'as you say she will, a po'or student? Sera — 'Tis because she loves him, Lii- cila. Lucia — ^Because she loA^es him. Bah! I might fall in love with ymi; but do you think I'd marry you? Not whiile I have my sober sienses. No, foir 'a.ll slue loves him, 'twill be a sitrange match. And then, agiain, I never could umlorstand, why su'ch a great singer, who might choose the fairest spot on eaiibh ro live in, should come and spend her idle time in Piacenza. Sera — 'It's because one who is veiy dear to her liC'S buried here— her father. Lucia — Is it so? I did not know. S.e:ra — (Impressively) There are many things, my mis»tresis, which you dO' next know. Lucia — (Sharply) Yes, and there tare many things which I do not want to kiiow. I have no time for goissip, nor tta-sfte for things which don't concerni me. I thank the siaints I am no scandial mong- ing gossip. Not I, indeed. But, tell me, this new master, whence comes he Sera — From France. Lucia— Whence came all the robbers of Italy with Napoleon at the head. Sera — But Napoleon is of Corsica. Lucia — Worse isitill ; a very Nazarite! Sera — But Mile. Corsica comes thence. 8 Liiicia — Ah, as the blessed SavioT from Nazareth — all th'e good that was in it. And i»h& js, I ithink, lab'oitt' all the goml left in this iinhiappy Italy, except Fiia Paolo, Sera — (Sits besidie her on soifa) And yourself, my charmer. Don't forgiet your- sielf, siweeit misi^reisis. (Pni*s his arm la round her and is aboiilt to kiss he^", she being not nnwllling-. when little Marii'a enters.) Maria — Why, Aunty Luicia! Is Sera- finoi kissing you? (Serafino' and Lmcia jump up and separaite, inuch embar- raiS'Sied.) Lucia — You wilful child! Howi daire yoii eoine into the house? I told you t'o wait oiutsiide. Maria — I wanted to see the good lady. Liiola — ^^Well, 'she is not here. Soi run aw'ay this instant; do you hear. Your aunty's busy. Maria — (Groing) Yes, Aunty Lucia. (Sitops at door) Aunty LuciAi, was Sera- lino tryii^!? tio Jiisis you ? Lucia— 'Certainly not. How diare you say such a wicked thing. Your aunty has an awful toothache, and Seraiino was but looking at it; he's gomg to ma,ke it well again. Kiss me, ind'eed! I'm sur- prised at you. Miaria — ^Are you going to miake it well, Serafino? Sera — Yes— oh, yes — o-f course — I'll 9 make it well. (Aside) Oh, JLfOrd, what a chiW! ^Maria — Poor Aun'ty Lueia, I'm 'SO sorry for you. (Kissed her and is about to gH>, when Corsica enlters C. D. frcm terrace.) Oh, there's the good lady. (Runs to Cor- sica, who isboops and IjIS'S^s her.) Corsica — Ah. There is my libtle g-irl. How iis my ch'erulb today. (Serafino' groAs up sitag^e.) Miairia — I'm well, but poor Aunty Lueia is sick. Co^-sica — Aunty Lucia sick? "NMiy. what is the matter with Aunty Lucia? M-aria — (In spite of Lucia's efforts to siience her) She ha^s an awful toothache, biKt Serafino is going to make it well. Corsica — Se;"^afino is going to make it well? Maria— Yes. When I .?ame ini he was looking at it. H^ 'was holdling his face right close to hers, and blowing in her mouth. It was so fanny. I thought he was going t.> kiss her, but Aunty Lucia said he was looking at her tooth, and is going to make it well again. Do you think he can? Corsica — (Laughing) Oh, yes; he will ma/kie irsica — Nay, no(t half so' much I 10 siiigi)e kind to me; when you hear the Ms'tiory of my paist, I fe'ar^ CcTsiea — ^With, th'e past I have nothing to do; I live only for the fuitiure, (Turns away fromi her. Fiordellessa pauses a' moment, and then follows Seri'fino off L. 3 E.) 'Consiea — (Turns and sees iFioirdielless'ii exit) Poior -n'oman! M'ore sinned again st than sinning, I dare say. (Goes up 0. and calls) Lucia! (Oomeis down and :si!ts.) TEniter Lucia C, from terrace.] Lucia — iSUle: called Jiie? Corsica — Yes. Say to Fra Paolo thait I received his message' and accept itliis charge. Tell him that Madame Fiord e- lesisa wall foir the future be my ma'id. Say thiaJt I regret to hear that he is indisposed, and trusit he will be able to join us to- morrow ait dinner, for one who' is very deair to mje arrives today. [Enter Sex'a- fino L. 3 E.] Well, Senaifino, you have worked bravely today, 'and as a reward you may oscort Lucia a part of her way home. (Goi3S (to cabinet and takes out moniey.) And here is a franc for each of you. Sera — (Holding mxt h'i® hand) Mile, is too kind. Corsica — Nay, on se'cond thoughts, I'll give them both to Lucia; for if you are to marry, it is the same as if I gave it 15 to you; if not, tliien the wine seller will get so nin. (Puts mn^ney in her pocket. They start off L. 3 E. On arriving at C. D. each sitops and bows to the other, to go fir sit; at la.st Sera- fino gallantly takes her right hand in his left, and leads her off, while with hiv«f right hand he roibs her of the money.) Corsica — (Who has baen w^atcluing them) Ah, the rogue, he has them both. So it is with a woman. Flatt'er her a little and you nuiy rob her of 'all slie has! [Goes out on th? terrace and looke off", then retturns.] Speed on! speed on, oh, diay, that brings my Lucien hence! Lash the laggard minutes till they fly and make time swifter than its normal course. [Takes up hour glass from table and shakes it in affected anger.] Oh, you slow and tediouis thing! Measuring hours by the icount of sands. No wonder the eager world found something faster than your funeral pace to march by I (Turns to clock.) And you, you stolid white faced thing; you are no better with your tick-tock, tick-tock, counting time by 16 gravity, when humian heaiits are riiniiiiig with the ispeetd of raicing isifairs! Move on! move on! (Rnns to clock and turns the hands forward until the clock stdkes.) Tliere! rin? your memeist chimes, and so keep time with the wedding bells in here! (Pres'Sing her hands tO' her hieai't and laughing hysterically.) Pietro— (Calling v^'iithouJt L. 3 E.) Sera- fino! Serafino! Serafinol yo'd lazy dog, [Enteiilug L. 3 E.], go 'at onoe to the master's rooms. (Perceives Corsiica.) Youir pardon, Mile., I thought itha/t ras- cal Serafino wa>s in here. The la.ggard leads me a lively chase. Corsiea — (Sits R. C.) He eannoit be a laggard, then, if he leads yon such a lively chiase. Pieitro— (Adancing to C) Mile, is in- clined to be merry this evening. Corsica — And 'why shouldn't I be gay? Is noit my LuCien coming? Oh, my old friend, I'm so happy, it seems that in my heart, there will never again be room for sorrow. Pietro— (Meaningly) Is it ^o? But in this hour of happiness, do not let joy crowd duty oat of mind. Remember you are a Coirsican ! Corsica — (Saddened) A Corsican! (Rises) Aye, I am la ICorsican! (X X to L.) Oh, Pietr*>, it is icruel, that this dujty, 17 as yon call it, should be itbni.^t upon me — (pause.s.) BuJt. as you siay, I am' a Ooriii- ean! I .sometimes wish that I were not. (Goes up C) PLettro— (R. 0.) What? You would deny 5- our birth? Cwsiea — (Up C, turns to Mm) I would murder ! Piietro — Murder? It is justice! Ah, child, whait is thliis changie that hlas come over you? (She turns away up, he itakes R., then retturns R. G.) Ah, this is the work of that meddling black robed priest, who, like tine othei's of his 'tribe^- Oorsioa — (Coming half down C) Enough! Fra Paolo is my friend! Pietro— Your friend, iinde3d! And I; I am naught! Well, so be it. (Stairts to X R.) 'Corsica— (Going to him) You? You are the bes-r and deairesc f ouster father in all the world. (Kisises him.) Ah, Piebro, Pi&tro, fo'rgive me, I did not miean to be unkind. Come, let us lalk no more of this. It m'akes me sad, and today I 'want to tliiiuk only O'f my happiness. (Goes up conseirva'tory R. 3 E., and busies herself with the flowers.) See ho-w beautiful these roses are; even, the flowers seem to share my joy, and yield tkeir brightest blooms today. Pietro — (Persisting, follows her up C.) 18 Do yoii remember -whsii diay this is? Oorsica — (L. 3 E.) It is the day my I^iicien eomes! It is the begiiuning of my 'Calendar of life. All behiud it is forgotten ! rieilro^(C.) Forgotten? Child, child, can you forge!:? This is the anniversiary •of yoiiir father's' murder. Ooi'sica— (L. 3 E.) Enough! I'll hear no moire. 'Tis cruel of you to' torture me. (Pietro (is about to speak.) No more! I will not listen to you! I will not think of it. I will forget it. (Groeis up C. to- ter- raice.) [Coirsica itakes isibage restlessly, and s-eemis lat first to be indifferent to Pietro's recital of her father's murder, and tries noit tio listen, but gradually becomes in- tensely interested in spite of hierself . Ple- tro apreai's to be talking to Iiimself , but ais soon ais h-e sees the limpression he has miade, he uses every effort to excite her vengeance. During thie first pairt of the scene he mast watch her furtively, to guage the eff'iCt oif his^ words, and work up scene accordingly.] Pidtro^(Xing a little to R— sadly) For- get it! Can a child an a new fownd love so soon forget a father's murder? For- get it! Clan she forgeit that here, this ve'ry day, three and twentty years ago, the last of all the great Gaffeni race 19 wa* slain? Here the day Napoleon crossied the I*o, I laid to re^t the noblest of all Cwsieanis. (Corsica conies down to tfible R. and ^oes up ag'ain.) The honor, the glories of war were not for him. The vich-es, the blessiings of pe'ace^ he never knew. He was not even allovved to die a soldier's death, biiit was slaughtered to give a villian praoti'oe AVith his sword! Forgeit it! 'Tis to me as though it were but yesterday! Go where I will, 'tis ever before my eyes. Sleeping or waking, I seeem ito hear his voice calling for ven- geance. (Corsica comes slowly now down R. C.) DeBray was in the wrong, and would ha^e croiwded the troops upon the bridge until it went down. My master rebuked him, rebuked him before the soldiers, as lie ought, though DeBray held a higher rank. Thereupon the French- man challenged my master, who knowing not even the name of feair, upon the in- s,^anit ansi^'ered that he was ready to de- fend himself. The cowai-d, being a skilled swordsjuan, and knowing th;at my mas- ter's arm ^as disabled from a wound, sprang at him ^ith hisi sabre. The Gaf- feri squared away, and wielding his sword with Ms left arm, defended him- self as best he could, and with such amaz- ing valor that he smote the Frenchmian on the cheek, and left his mark upon hiiui, 20 and by th.i't mark he shall be known — a sabre cut from eye to eiar! Corsica— (B'ack of table R., repeating to herself) A .siabre cut from eye to lear — I shiaJl kno'W him. [Serafiuo retnirns L, 3 B. Stops on seodng CoTsiea and IMctro, listienkSi a mo- ment and then steals up C, and iconc^-als himself behind a pillar, I'listealng intent- ly. Oorsiea comes to chair R. O. Pie'^ro X X to her.] Pietro — ^Now seethe contest rage! Agiain and again DeBnay rushes :tO' the charge. Again and again my juaster parries his thruist. How the steel clashes and hoiw '■he fire flies from their angry blades. (Corsiiea has now sunk in chalir R, C, and Pietro leans over her as he d'e- seribes the fight.) Amazed and pairalyzM v^^itli awe, rhe soldiers s,tand muitely by, and dare not raise a hand to stop them. The very horses, ais if sharing the spirit of their masters, rear up on their hauimchies an*l paw the air in vicio'us fren- zy! Piereer and fiercer the conflict rages; faster and faster fly the siwords. I can no longer look upon the sotnie. I turn my head away and weep. Suddenly the clamor stops, and when I look, aigain, the FrenchmaUi rides away, and there upon the groimd my master lies. Hiis eyes are open, and look wisitfully into 21 mine; and though he 'cannot speiak, in those greta't eyes I r.eiad his laist oom- niand. It is to commit to his 'child the lesson of his fate. A pressure of the hand, a long dKivvn sigli, and all is' over. And itlioi-e n^pon the banks of the Po, the last son of the great Galferi family lies di!?ad! (Pauses.) They 'said it \ras a duel! A duel? It wasi an aisisasisiniation! Corsiex — (As if in la diream) An assaiS- sinaition! ( C^orsica's hand, which is rest- ing nei'vously on the table at her K. now touches the knife wliich is lying there.) PLetro^ — ^While rhe woraiis fed upon his IxKly his unhappy wife wept her life a-way, and dying lefit a little babe to the cai-^ of old Pietro and his wife, for back among the hills of Cor- sica, where men are brave and women true, and "tin eye for an eye, a tooth for ai tooth, 'a life for a life," is the law of ag.^! ct«refully and tenderly did old Pie- tro and his wife rear this little child, and ais sh^e came to womanhood she heard the sitory of her father's death, and leairned thie siacred law of vengeanea^, and so she made her voiw— that isomewhere, siome- how, some time, she would find this mur- derer, and deal with him as he had deal: with hers. [Corsica grasps knife convulsively and 22 springs to her feet, overcome wiith emio- tion,] Coirsicia — (With knife) And so she will! And siO' she will! A saJbre cut from e.ve to ear! By thait miark he shall be known. Fear noit, old friend, I'll not forget. As he dealt with miiue so wiill I deal with him! The Gafferi spinit lives in .spite of sex, in spi'le of love, and the Coirsiiean law, "a ife for a life," survives the wreck of ages. [Serafino, who has been lisitening, be- comes alarmed, and exits hastily L. 3 E.] I^ietro — Sh! I heard 'a footstep! (Snatches the knife from Corsica and looks about R. and L., then comes back and places knife on table R. Corsiica has taken stage L.) Nay, 'tis nothing but my iminginaition. I am getting old and fanciful. (Sound of hoi-ses' hoofs heard.) Corsica — ^Hark! A horsieman is co'ming up the avenue. (Runs up C. to terrace.) It is he! It is Lucien! (Stands on ter- trace waving her hand off R.) PieitTO'— (Aside, bitterly) Lucien, Lu- cien! Always Lucien! The thought of Lucien drives all else from her mind! [Enter liUcien on t'errace from R.] Lucien — 'Corsica, my love! 'Corsica — ^INIy adored. (Th^ej' embrace.) rietro' — (Aside) And 'tis an this new 23 found love she forgets a dia lighter's duty. Bah! It makes me sick! (Exit R. 3 E. into eonsiervatoiT.) [Corsica and Lucian come do":^'n.] Lucien — (On her L. H.) Come, let me look at you. I can scarcely believe I do not dream, that 'tis rerally you I hold in my arms once more. Let me yta> here forever. [Enter Fra Paolo.] Paolo — Lucia (slie starts), Lucia.— Saints alive! how you fright- ened me. I'^aolo — Jrlia our guest eaten her break- fast? Lucda — Yes, yoair reverence, at leaist she hias looked at it, for the poor ladj" did not eat enough to keep a bird alive. Paolo — Poor child! Can I see hei-? Lucia — She asked for you, and 'said she wished to see yO'U when you returned. Paolo — Very well; yoii may lell her I am here. (Sits.) Lucia — Yes, your reverence. (Is about tO' exit in the house.) 30 Paolo — (Stopping her) liUcia! Luioia — (Reiturning) Yes, your rever- lence. Paolo— Ha.s she been ouliside 'the house ? Lueia — ^No, your res^erence. Paolo — Aud no one has seen her? Lu'ciia — No, your reverience. Paolo^ — Veiy well, you may go — but re- m.embeir, Lucia, be careful, that you tell no one of her presienee here. liUeia — Yes, your irevoirenee; but will your Te^ereni^e tell me ■ Paolo ^This is her private affair, Lueia. She seeks refuge in the s^anctu■alT. Let that be sufficient. Lueia — Yes, your reverence; entirely sufficient. Heiaven kno^ws I :). You are my treasurer. There must be some money left. Lueia — ^Yes, thanks to me, there is s'ome money left. Very little there 'would be if 3"ou luad the IrandJiuig of it. Giving soup and wine to beggars and going with- out your.s.elf! Paolo — (G-ently) They aire my Father's children, Lucia, poor, though they miay ]>e. As for myself, I hiave enough. Lucia — Yes, thanks to me, you don't die of starvation. Giving soup and wine to beggars. (Stai-;is in liouse, and stops as though sitruok with a sudden thoughic; returns to C.) Fna Paolo. (He is wrapt in thought and does not hear) Fra Paolo I Paolo — Yes. Lucia— W'lMit has become of that new ■shirt I made for you last week? Paolo— (A'oseatly) The new shirt? Luoia — Yes, that new shirt! Have you so many that you can't keep track of them ? Paolo — Oh, yes, Lucia, I forgot to tell you. A poor mian came the other day— you were not here — he was in rags, Lu- 32 cm, in rags; I could find no othier, iso I giave Mm thalt. Liicra^( Angrily) Yoai gave ithiait new sh-irt to a mLsieivable dirty beggar! (Biegins 'tio cry.) You'll give away the shioies off youir fee^t next! Paolo— (Groiag to hier) Thiere, there, Lucia, there'® a good woman. lam sorry I hurt your feelings — but lie needed it more than I did— iindeed, hje did! Come, 3^011 sliill make me anuther one, and I promisee you that I will wear it ! laicia — (Half aside) Mtuke another one! Humph! If I do, I'll fasten it ai-oiind your neck with a loC'k and key. [Exit Lucia in house.] Paolo — (X X and sits) Lii2'ia is a good womian, a very good iwoman, but I am ■afraid she is growing a lit'tle selfish. I must talk to her 'about it, I must talk to hier about it. [During the above speeh Little M'airia enitem quietly, with a bunch of wild flow- ers; she slips up behind Paolo and covers liis eyes with her hiands.] Maria — 'Guess who it i's? Paolo— A greiat big mian? Maria — No. Paolo — ^An— ugly old woman? Mair'ia — ^(Laughing) No. Paolo^ — A bad boy? Maria — No (laughing). , 33 Paolo— Then it musit be a pretty little girl. (Draws ber around in front of Mm.) iMiaria — Yes; I believe you knew who S/t wais all the time. See whalt I've brought yoiu (giving Mm floweirs). Paolo — Ah, what pretty flowers. (Smell- ing them.) Almosit as pretty and sweet ais you are. And what shall I give jrou for them? Maria — Five kisees. Paolo-^Five kiissm. Now eoumt the'm. (Kisses her five times, while she counts.) Now, one for g.x)d measure. (Kisses her again.) [Enter Luda from housie.] Miaria — I picked them for you myself. Don't you like little girls to pick flowers for you? Paolo— Indeed, I do. Lucia — Come away, Maj-ia, you bother Mis reverence. Paolo — Nay, Lucia, "of such is the Kingdom of Heaven!" Maria— Isn't Aunty Lucia funny? We mustn't mind her, because she's siick. Paolo— Sick ? (Keproa'chf ully) Yoa never told me, Lucia! Maria — Yes, she had an awful tooth- ache, yesterday. Lucia — (Disturbed) Maria! JMaria — You said you hiad. Lucia — Maria, go in the house! 34 Mai-ia— You did; land you said Seraifino was gmng iro make it 'well. Paolo— Indeed? Miajria — Yes; it's i&o funny. He hiolds ber face '(?lo'Se to his, so [biisinieisis] like be was gJing ito kiss hpir, and blows in heir mouth, and it's well! Ivucia — INI aria ! Paolo— Serafin'O musit be a wonderful doctor. Lueiii — (Aside) Siain'ts, preserve us! what will she say next? Maria— (To Paolo) Don't you like Sera- fino? Paolo — Yes, A'ery much. MaMa — ^I think Aunty Lucia likes him, (too. Don't yt)U? Lucia— (Aside) Grod bless my soul! [Paolo slightly puzzled; looks first ait child and !then a.t Lucia, then th^e truth diaiwns upon him.] Paolo — ^Yes, I think she likes him, too. But I hope her tooth will not become SiO bad a!S to miake mie loise my housiekeeper. Ijucia— (With meaning) Do not be afraid, Fra Paolo, my tooth in emtiraly well. But I was to toil you that Mile, is ready to receive yo^u. Paolo— I will go tO' he'r. (To Miaria) And you must pick me another bunch of flo.v- ers, and we will take them this evening to la poor sick mian. (Abouit to exit.) Re- 35 miember. Lucia, be cautious. (Esiit in house.) Lucia — (Watelies Paolo exiit then X X to Ma.ria and brings her C.) N^-w, see what you Aave done! You ha\'e made Fr.i Paolo angi-y with your foolish talk about Serafino, and such nonsense. Now, lis- iten to me, and remember what I say — Don't you ever again, in all your life', daire to ifcell anything that you may siee or hear. Do you imdersitand? Keep eveiTlthing to yourself, or nobody will like yx>u, and the angels v\-ill not take care of you, and the devil will geg quickly) What did you hiear? Sera — What did I hear? I heard — oh, what awful things I heard. Lucia^^But tell me, there's a; good man; what was it that you heaiM? Sera— Should I tell yoii what I heard, it might drive you to drink, or may- be to woirse. Lucia— (Aside) Belzebub take mian! Will I never get it out of him? (Aloud) Never fear for me, my dear. I hiave strong nerves and a stout heart. Oome, tell me, w^hat did you hear? 38 Sera — (With drnniken impireisisivenes'.O I heard, oh, Lucia! Lmeia! Lucia! There will be trouble in the houise of Ooirsiiea. There is blood an the ni'O'on ! Luciia — ^^Trouble in the housie of Co-r- sica? AVhat do you mean? Sera^Listen; when I returned yester- day, after seeing yon safe on your way, I went to the draivVing room, where I had left my mistress to neport for diity. (Aside) And for a franc. (Aloud) As I entered the do-or I found my misitress aind that oM rillian, Pietro', lin such violent oonyerse, that th^y did not perceive me^. [The actor must remtember thalt Sei.r.i- fino is still drunk.] Lueia— Violent converse ? Sera — Aye, violent ecnverse. They spoke of fire, duels, revenge and murder, and my mistress grew more and more excited a^s old Pietro 'spoike. At liaist — even now it makes my bl'Oiod grow cold to think on ;iit — ^shie seizedi a dagger, and holding it above her head, cried oiut: "As hie dealt with mine, 'so Avill I deal with him!" At this I grew frightened and ran away, and have not yet returned. I was so unstrung that I did, indeed, seek a stimulant to brace my shaittered nerves. But I am not drunk, swe.et misitress. not drunk, only unsitrung! Luciia— And is that all you have to tell ? Sem— All ? And is it not lenough ? '-■ Lucia — Go home, you silly fool. Still I say, you're drunk, and drunk jon were, when you played the eavesdropper, or you would have guessied the truth. Mile. Cor- sica is an aetiresis and «he and Pietro did but aot a geene from some .stage play. Sera— Nay, nay, this was no' play act- ing. They wene in den me. My brain was on fire, f.nd a, voi je ■seemed tO' keep ringing in my ears, "Your lover'is father is your faltheir's murderer!" Again and again I heard that voice, un- til I thought I ishonld go miad ! Paolo— Pooir 'child, poor child! 41 Corsica— 'What should I do. I could nott barm tlie faither of my Lucien, and yet a great gulf had suddenly opened be- *tiween my lover and myself! Marriage with Luci^n beoame impossible! We must pairt, and forever! But \vha:t reason could I g'ive? I could not tell him thait his father was guilty of sujh a crim.^! Therefore, I must never 'see nim again. Oh, how my heant laciied! I must gi^'e up all ithat wais dear to me on eiairth. My resolution was quickly taken. I wiailted until all the housie was quiet, then leav- ing a note for Luoien, begging his for- giveness for what I had done, and bid- ding him farewell forever, I crept out of the house and came to you. Paolo — (Reflecting) And in this note you told nothing, 'aissigning noi reason for your flight? Tell me, as nearly as you can exactly what you wrote. Can you re- member? Cotrsica — ^Remember? It dis written on my heart in letters of flame. It was my death warrant. This is what I wrote: "My own heCoved, forgive me for wihat I am aibout to do; I can not help mytself — it is my duty! .Forget that I ever lived. FareweM forverer!"' iPao'lo-^Then aDl may yet be weU. You love Lucien? Corsiica— Love him? I adore Ihim! 42 Pao'l'o— Your niottie g^avie no rea'Son for your diepiarture— (iit cain eaisiiily 'be expiadm- ed. Beturu to lii'm, Oorsioa— iRieturn to iliim ? Iim!pios.sdK'e ! PiaoiLo — ^Coimie, ilet u.s be reaisoiuiajhle. Your f aitiber was kiiMed in a diuel. Triiie, Piiietro isaijis, aui uafiaiir aidvainttag'e wa^s taken of iMm; but PLetro iis prejiudiicied, aiuid bis love for Ms master may Ibave 'warped bis judgimemit. iGieuieral De Bray iwas a.n bonoina'blie miaiu, moted for bis 'bravery — ^a man wlboise wboue career ba.s beeuy free from spot or sitain. Is it likely :tibat sucb' a m!a,n as itbis iwoiuld stoop to murder? Woi£d a brave man take sucb a.n unfair advaantage of bis enemy ? Du- ■eilis are iborrible tHiii'ng^s, bait'eful iiu tbe eye® of God amid main ; but tbey were, a'ud istiu'l are, ooly toO' ooimimon in our armiies. ■'SiboiULd wie hoCd General! De Bray, oir even your own fatber, reisipomsiible' for ■wibat in tibose idiayis> 'Wia's lunfiO'rt^unately Jooked' upon as a matter of eounse ? iCorisri'oa.— (Rdisiug dmdignantily.) Yon de- fend bim? YiOU defend tbe miirdei-er of any fatbier? Paoilo— ^No'i I do not diefend^ bdm, but it grieveis my 'SoUl tO' see, by a. basity aetdon, tbe bappdness of two yonng lives forever wrecked. Cotme, retuirn to Lucden and renounce this vendetta!- 43 Consioa— TIbait wonlid maike me despd- eaiMe in tihe eyies of every Ciorsii'oan ! PaoCio — But 'how pleasiiing in the eyes of u do not undersitamd ^he Oorsiican nature. God Ihelp me, for I do not under sita.nd myself I Do yoiu not see the .sitruggle that is going on 'Within me? Do not rebuke m^e — coun- sieil 'me— 'Comfort me, for my iheaa't is 44 ■breaktitng. (Tihiroiwis liepsielf, siobbing, at ihiis feieft.) P'aiollo^— (Riaisji'n,^ her.) Seek comfort tlhere. (Piointiiimg do tine icihiiurdh.) 'Oopsiiea — (S^adlly^-itiirniiinig awiay.) I d-are Tl'Oit. Pa'OilO'— Diaire niolt? Oorsiioa — With siioh thoiughits, as a,re {now surgiLng ithrough my hrarn, I daire aiot eiifceiT isuioh la hoJy plaioe. PaoCio*— Go/d, laiiid God lail'omie, can help you 'to renoiiniee tih'osie thougihts! Coime Jet us go together, ihiamd ia Ihamd, iside by isiidie, we willil pray to God for comfort, for counsel land for heJlp! Come — ^do not feair to tax his patieimoe ; iit is- as infinite lais hiis .love, and ais enduring .a:S eterni'ty. In his arms there is rest; in his piresence iliigiht. Come, my ohiM, 'abide in that rest, S'eek that light, lamd' fiind ooaisolatioini in itihat perfect peace, wihidli paisisies \a:lil u.n- derstain/dimg ! Gome — uet uis go — 'to God ! [Exeunt Paolo amd C'Oirsica in church — then Seraifi,no lis heard caCjling off stage.] Sera.— ^OW'ithout.) Dudia! Ducia!! Lu- cia!!! [Einter ILucia excitedtly from ihouiSe.] Duciia— Hey dey! Hey dey! What's the imatter ? • [Einter Sieipa:fi:no^ — irunini'ng.] S'era.— Oh, Ducia! Lcucia! Lucda! 45 Luoiia— iBe qui'et. Dom't stand' tlietre Sih'outin'g "Lucia! Lucia! Lucia!" at me! Why don 'it you speak? Are yiou mad or dT.unk? Wihiait is 't!he matter? Seira— ^E•ve^yltlMng^s itlie matter! Miur- der is tlie matter! Lucia'— (Reooilinig.) Murder? Serial— Yes, mairder! BJoody murder! Lueiia' — Ajnd iwiho ihais 'been murdered? Sera — He ilias! Now wilil you believe I ispoke *he truthi? Lucia — But wibo? wiho? who? Sera — ^GeueraJ De iBnay!' Luoiia— iGrenerail Die Bray? 'Sera— ^Sig. Luc4ein'is fia'tiher, amid tihie po- a'ice are coming ihere to searoli for heir.. Luciia^-To •seardli for ihier? Wiho? ■Speak nuan! W'liat do yoai mean? [Einjter co'mmiisi&ary of police amd offi- cers, foiY^owed at a dJsitamce by Pietro, iWiho, iunseen by the others, remains in the baickgroumd anxiious.ly wa>tohing the sicene.] Com. — Let .no one stir firom this spot! (To Lucia.) Mille. Corsiica, is she here? Lucia — (As'ide.) Mile. Corsica! 'Cn (Iinidiieating Seirafino.) Luoreu' — Ooir.siiea, imy ilove! Lioo'k up I . 'CofrsAoa— (Turning from 'him.) Yours no longer until I cam prove my inno- cence. Officer, I a^m readiy. Fna PaoJo, your Kjesisong. (Paolo, wlho m in deep th'oiugh't, do'eis not liear iiier, a.nd appeia.rs to iheisitate.) Fra Paodo, you sm-ely do not beLieve m-e guilty ? PaoLO — ^(Tlalving Iher toainds 'aind looking into ihier eyes.) In tho:se pure eyes, tlheire lis no sign of guilt! I beDieve you, aind I trust you! Before Hetaveoi, I swear tliat you are innoceint, 'aind I coinsecirate my (life to miakiing yours so shine before all men! (Curtain.) 60 ACT III. 'Scen^e — Asaoitihier viiew oi the ohurcih, with graveyiaird .aidjoiiiiing. Ludi'a aind Lu- ^dien ia;re diisoovexie'd litn con vers a'tioiii. ■Litti'je MiariLa is pilayaiig tainotug tih-e •tcm'bs'tionies., Lucia — Alh, iSiig. iLudien, it almioe.t ibreaks my Ikeaa-it to 'Siee (tihe isuffieriimgis of poiar iFna 'Paiol'O. Since tTiat dreaidful day, '.vviben lUbe misitresis Wia;s lair'resited, he lli'a.s dived las tbougili 'lie weire in a diream. He i&ees ;n'Oitih;i'ng,— the Ibeams inoithinig,— iLs obliv- diouis to everytlliing, except iheir sad coindi- tian. H'e toais but oine tihiO'Ugibt, but ooie lamblition — ^to prove Iheir innioceinoe. Hi'S Qiieart and isiouil aire ever witb the poor mi'Stress in Iher cell — 'Ms body a.ioinie is Ihere, aind tlliat growis weiatecr a;nd weaker levery day. liuoien— iPoor mam, Ms isufferings are 'as greait las miiin'e. [Enter Pietiro, Ibe iremiaa,ns im back- gironnd 'lisitenimg.] Lucia — H'e soarceily eats; ®o!metiime:s 'wihoje days go 'by witibaut a imiorsel pasiS- ing Ihis ilips, amid tOiien I !h'ave to foiree it on ibi'm, begging Ihiim 'to- _ keep up Ms istrengtlh for 'ber isake. Lucien — And ibas ilie u^o a'omger any ibope? Lucia — I itbink mot, mow; itibouglh be 51 isca.roe'Iy ,speaks of it ait laul. He spends lids dayis, 'wih'en Ibe lis in-oit wiith iber, in the •ebiiirdi, praj^iug for ih'er deliveranee. At DJg'hit, las ;he lies iin ilm.s bed, I liear him rn'O-ainiing for ihours; ait a itiime; t!he'n lie ig'ets up aind iretmrns tO' .tbe dhuTctb, wihere I find fliim in 'fbe mo'r,niiinig, bialf d^ead with exihaustioin, iknieeiMin.g ait the al'tar. Ludi'en — Ah, lAvc'ml Lncia! ihaw tem- fblie iit ailij is! ,My Grod! how cam (tliey dou'bt iber intnoeenoe? How can ttihey wlho ihave knawm lh.er ainid have 'tasted of ber ;swieet 'dhiairiity, — Ihow cam tlhiey betliiere tlhat my piiire amd gentle OoT&ioa com Id baiTe sitootped to do a: deed so treacberoms and vije? Pietro^ — (Stepprinig forwaTd) Viiije? Had slie done so .sibe womM tbave done ber duity ! Lmoiem — (Reooii'l'iiug) Dmty ? Pietro — Aye, duty; it wais her duty to •avenge ber fatibeir's de'aitlh, •Luciem — Her father fell in am homor- abLe due^, 'wihilie mimie^God belp me!— waiS' ba.SieCy la'SSiasisinated. Pierto — It wa's retributiom! "A life for a ili'fe" i's t^e 'jaw. [Mafpia exits m church.] Lucien — Tibe law ? Aye, tihe ua w of bar- ibariams amd aissasisiims ! If this be yomr 52 'boasted C'Dirsiicain Ih'Oinioir, rtibein. I tlh'aiuk /hea veai I lajm :n.oit a iC'Oirisiiioam ! iPietTO' — 'Y'Oii id aire 'Say this ifco me! [Siteps back 'amid dnaw.s Ihiis knife; Lu- cieiu faces Ihirm, "Liiiieiia liiS' aboint ito step be- twieen tJbiem, iwlbeiii 'PaiiJo 'emteirs amd ad- viances to C] Fau'l'O^Miay tfhe peace of GrOid be with yoiu — laiii'd iwittlh UiS atlil, [Tlh-ey ailij bow tb'eiir iheiadiS. Plietro coin- •eealLs bi® kaiife, aind isi!iow;ly exiits, Cookiiin.g 'baick ithireaiteiniuigily lat I/iiciien.] il/ucien — ^Aimeii! ] Exits after Pietro.[ ' iPia.ou'01 — 'Hoiw lis it witih yon, my S'O'n? I ithoug*ht you wiou'ld be wlitlh > 'Luci'en — ^I am igoiiug to IheT mow. For the last time before ''tihe triiad, I am per- imiitted to see Iher. Paolo — Amd you bave founds ■Luciein — NotJhlimg! Tihe iwibolie 'world is ag'aiimSit her! iNot ome 'believes (her iumio- ■eemt. AjII the piaist — bieir go'oidnesis, (her 'Cihiai"iity — \ai'A is foirgottein liin .tlheiir insaitiate thiirst for ^blooid. "N^lhen I thLnk that to- iuorrow,^amd oih, ihow neiar tlhat dread' to-mororw iis — imy limnocemt -Oorsiica wijl be dragged to trial 'foir a erime of w(hicii she is las liminocent a® I am, wihein I think ot the friglhitful ehaiim' of ciircumstamces wbiidh !iis isuowily amid 'SureiLy criuislbimg her in its coiiji'si— la-md kmiow that I aim power- les to lielp 3ier, I fee'l as tjhougfh I would go miad. Oain miothimg be dome to av^efrt 'thiis dread fill wrong? Paolo — ETeryitMng has been doiae tihat brain or ihands or tieairts oould do to prove ber lininocence. Lu'cien — Tihen you believe ouir cause is !hop«iless? Piao'lo — ^Xo; mot liiOipeless. Luci'en— iXot toopeks'S ? (Paolo^— X'O— it is in the 'bauds of God. tbuit God bad now deserted us! Lucien— (Bitterily) It la'lmost seems, Paol'o — iPeace! God is eveir with the isufferiiing' 'and oppressed, ever ready, ever wi'Lliinig, to aid and oomfort tboise wbo co-me ro (biim iLn sorrow a,nd in pain. L/uciiein — T'bein you bedaeve ? PaoOo — I now. Tlhere iis above us a God Off 'love and mercy, — of trutih aind jais- tiee. And O'u this God, I buiild my earth- uy laiuid etern.au bopes! .Go .to Jber, 'my soai, a.nd may the peaee of God go with you. Courage, my ®oin', eouirage. Trutih is mighty laaid wi-ld pi-evaivl. Wlh'T.e ihe'iveu endures no rigihteous cause is hopeless. JiLuoien wirings Paolo's band' in si- Jence, and ex'its biirriedly. Paolo bCesses Ihiim, then paaisd/ng, uifts Ihis ba.ndis. to heaven in pi-ayer, thein breakis down witii a sob, and staggers into tbe dhurdh; A 54 Sulglhit pauise. Fii'oirdelfeisa eniters, looks ■R. & L., (Starts to go in -obiireTi, .biut iiesi- tates mresolute, — ifhieim imakmg up [heir imiinid wlliiat icoiirse 'to pursiie, firmly en- ters thie dhuxicih. — Einiter Dudiien foiUowed by Serafiao.] Ducia— (Callding a'S she 'enters) Maria! .Maria! wlbeire on eaxtlh is 'tflie dhiu'd? I isiire'ly left iher Qiiere. Maria!! — ^(to Seira.) How dia;re you fouloiw mie! Diid I aioit bid you ilieave me im peace? Balh! you drunk- en beast! (Oa'Jliing) Mairia! Miaxia! Sera. — iRat' Lucia, my sweet cliiarm- mg, lif yoTi 'Willi O'nil^r' 'be patiieint Liucia — i(;noit paying any attentioin to fliim.) iNow you ca;n' see wlhat your wine driinkiing Ihias broiugihit us toi. Yoai are tihe cause of all thlis troaible! Baih! I hate tihe isiglhit oif you! (Cauls) Maria! Sera— iBy Iheavein! Luciia, I sweair! Lucia — Be quiet! Don't you dare to ;sweair ait ^me! Save your oatihis for the 'tirdial, aiud iswear away itTie Oife of tihe toest womiain wihio ever iived Well? Wlhy dom'it you 'speak? Are yoiu d'um'b? ■Sera.— (TV%o iha.s 'beein tiiTiing in vaiin to tailk.) Buit Lucia. ■ Lucia— Dom't istand tlhere airguing, wit-h •me! Wlhy 'doin'it you isuggest somtetlhiing? Wlhy dio:n't you 'do^ isomettliiiing? (CaiU's) Miaria ! 55 Sera — ^If you will but ''isten ' Luciia— Why d'on't you g'o aoi'd fi;nd Hhe real murtderer .a.iid laequd-t tihe miistiT'eiSS ? You 'kuow siTie lis iimuoceinit— and yett your fooili'sih druiiikG'u taue of her and Pietro /Tiias d^irue rn'ore tbaoi anytlMing else to fbrow suiSipiioiou 'om heir. (Cauls) Maria! iSeira— I toild itilie .truth ■ Liueia— ^Be quiet! Sip'eiak wflbtem you ■are ■spokein to. You told tihe truth, did you? So muclh 'tihe wonse. Did I teil the truth w;he/u the officers oanie nosing aft'er her? It's a poor servaait that can't uie for (his imjLstresis ! Sera— 'Would you h'ave nie put perjury on my souL? Lucdia — Your soul! A pretty soul you've got! Savie your miLstiresis first, a'ud get for- giveinesis aftiei^wa-rd's. 'Tlhat'.s the duty of •a iservaoi't. Your isoiil, iindeed! So you tihiink you've got la soaiu? — iWeil? weiH?— Have you iloist yO'Uo* tongue? Great heav- ens! lis tihe !ma;n aai iddot? Cam you say 'nothiiug to defend yourself? Cau't you taCk? Sera — But iLucia. you doiu't give me any chain ce to tailk Lucia^ — Fiaither 'in hieaveu, illiistein to the main! I do>n't give you a Chianee to talk? Haven-'t I been trying for tlhiiis (hour pa.st to get ta word out of you, ajid haven't 56 you 'O'bsitiLn'ateily reMsied ito .amswer a isin- glie quesitiotn I ibave masked? .Beg omie! laind don'it Jet me see your ugdy face' again, imitiil fhie mii«itxe'Sis lis laoquitted of (tikis criimie. .Siiliencie, mo't a wioird !— ID'oni' t diare to ispeiak to me laga'ajn, lUjmtiil you oaiu bring proof o'f iher liiii;noieence. 'Sera — Liuidia, if yom fwiiiM but ihiear m,e 'Lucia^ — Bah! S'ucih .a itJhiinig as you to weair i>a,nitaLOoinis laind' oaiK yourself a mta.n! Hiain'giuig about gosisiipimg, wbdue your mds- ifcres'S 'liies ia prLsiOn. Dir'inking' whi^e mur- der iis coimimiitted ! 'Sljeeping wtiiive tihe •m'Uiitdea'er escapes! Amid yoii aire wlhat itibey cadil a mam? \By (heavem! df I were a maiu! iBaih! If I couvdn't be a better man than you, I'd rath ex be a worn an all my iMfe! Bah! (Exit amgir'ily, ca'Jliing Mairia!) 'Sera — liueia, lif you wiiijl oinJy li'Sten to ■me, etc., et-e. [Exit, foJloWing Liucia.]' [Paolia stagger si out from the' dhoirch with his hand presised bo his heart,breatih- img heaTily, lamd' 'mu«h distresised ; he is foiEowed by Fiordelesisia. Paol'o sinks on bein'dh aind gradiuailily reoo'vers.] iPiao'lia— Aiiir! aiir! I mnst have aiir! I am dhokiing! idhokingJ Fioir — Hear :mie out — l have mot told you lailil. 57 PaoM — ^^Gno (m\—.go P'aol.o--(In la 'wlhisper) kil'led Mm ? Flior— 'Yes — I — bLjIied^— Ihim ! Even witili Ihiis dyiing breath, Ihe mocked me st'iiM, say- ing: "Foo"-, yo'U !have :lovS.t your only •dhiance of thappiiness, for yo'iir son, Lu- ainid lidily by, aind let amiother •orime be id'Oine? Fioir— lY'Oii 'oan mot Iheilp yeursejf . Not lorne ward of iwihiait I Ihave' toM to yoai, idaaie yooi reveaJ, — mot evem 'by liint or (siigm! PiaiOL'O^ — iWretcfh! Hiave you mo mercy? Tihimt — ^oih ifhimk, of itihat poor 'dhald ly- ing m :a dia'rk lamcl iloiaffosoime i>risom cell, (Smfferimig laill the toirtuires of imijuired dinmo- o£ the lailmiiglhty Ood! So isiireuy lae. Ibe 'I'iv.es aimd mulesy ISO ts'uirely will! yoair 'crtmie be brouigiht to iMgOiit! - FlioT— No, 'no ; I'Jl noit bdievie it ! ■Pia'ol'o — ^Seek mot tO' esoaipe, for y^our isiin will) ifimld you out. Justice is ^silow but siire, ain/d oomie day fhe penalty of your er.imie wil'l fall iipoin yoiua* iheaid'! It miay be 'de>iayed' — lit can not be averteid! .Fiior. — 'Ko one kmowisi tibe trutb but yio'u— yio'U "daire not spetak ! iPaoilo — ^You cam Ibiope for inotibiin,g- in ^tfbis liif e oir lin tbe Jdf e Ibeireaif ter. Go 'wlbere you 'Wiilll, sfjeeping or waking, this g'uilty kno'WJedgie iwiill destroy ;aiU (peace! Evein An your dreaimis', tlbiis poor murder eid .dbild 'Wiiilil rise bofore yo'U amd cry aloud for TOinigeamioe ! Tibemi yoair i wicked defiia.nce wiilGl tiurn to ^upplicaitioin. But 'beware, iliesit m'ercy be denieid, ais yoai deny meircy mow. T!be pilea your liipis ibiave Tittered in tibiis conf essiomi but offend the tibrone,- for .prayers fro-m am. unrepentemt (heart are impious! Tibey wiX mot be Ihieard! Goo' Wiilll islbow no mercy to am umimereiful soul. Suclh mercy would be mo'ckery— isuob God'Slbip would be tyrtammy! Heav- en would revolt against it, amd Ih'ell dtself, posses® itlhie eairtih ! 65 Fior.— ^Miecrcy— TQiercy! I pepemt! I w>ai3it forg'iiTenessi! 'Paolo— ^TibeDi confesis your erinie, ajid isave it'liis W'Oiin.a.n''S uife! Fioa*. — (Hesitates.) I can iniot! I cain in'ot! (Defiainitliy.) I w\Ql mot! Do you ihear? I n^ill not! Paolo^ — Then ^o! Gro! Qui't my sigM, test I forge't my vows aind g.ive you up to justioe! Fiior. — Hear mie, I 'Wijill^ ' Pmj (heairt is woruing djry lO'f tiitst ^tea-rs land 'tihe wel'l ispningis Oif h'ope axe drained .to 'the 'di'egs oif despair ! (A pause, during 'w'hiclb One seems to be iwa*apped in thoiTgllit.) My m.iind is in a ftiirmoiu-; my fheaid :is biins'ting iwiitih its aigony of thomgihit. Dare I speak the tricth? Wlhiait 'truitlh ? The ireveki'tiom wais made 'to me as a pilieisit, as a repireseimta- i.tive of GiO'd. Ais a man I know notlh'ing! ■lOain tell inotliiinig! O'h, fatiher in Iheaven, ilift the clondis tlia-t ido eneompass- me! Telil me — tslhoiw me wihiat i.o do! Must 1 Ithen be isi!le.nt aind ijet tTiiiS crime be dome? Must I Ibecoime a. pairity ito 'Siucih ain out- rage oin truth aind virtue? No! I'll not ibe'Jieve it! I ',11 not beilieve lit! There must be ISO me 'wiay — but ihow? Not 'by word or sign dare I rereaC tlhi^s iwiretdhed oreature's isecret. I can n^ot 'Spieak; 'sbe will noti To-morroiw wirjll «ooa be Ihere^-Ha^uid t'ben ? I 'diaire mot think of it! Oil mother of Jeisus! thou foint of mierey aiud of tendernesiS, ladd your prayers to m'ine, ithat this istubboim IheaTt 'may be meuted in itrue irepemtaniCe, ithait isihe may confess iher crime before t'he 'worlid! [Sinks upon hiis 'knee« on the' chaucel steps, 'burst's into a paiS'Sioin of tears, and 'fafflis, lying upon 'the stepiS. The baek • wal'l of the dhurdh, above tihe Qiltar, grad- Ti'aJlly grows ttirianspaxen't, shoiwling ti}ji« place 'of executknn, an! She is • Ah, — 'tis -goine! Oone! 'Twa.s a dream! A dream! fThanik God! Thiank God! ThamJj God! (Siiuks oiu steps, sobbing hysiteri'cailly.) [The test of this scene imay he altered to suit the individual busline ss of the laetor playiing the par't.]' (Curtain.) 70 AOT IV. iiuteri'Oir of coiurt rioorn lat Piia'oeiiiz.a. Pa- , olo is iiio'wiu stag'G witOi a 'iawyer. Pie- =tro i'S' up iStage. iLuoiia amd Serafimo ai-e ini aniimated coinvensaitioiL. Piordejes^ isa s'its ailoine, iwiraipped m tboiigTit. GLiawyer,s>, officeirs of the eoua-t, ©iDardiS, so'ldieiTS', amd Cooikers on, are stiainid'iin'g- in groupS' about iS'tage. The dhiiild MarLa is cJiingding to Luoia's skirts. La'Nvyer — It iLs iisieLeisis, Pra. PaoJo, I (have 'dome every thing that 'ooniild he done. No istone Oia,s been' ieft un'tnirned. The .ease ■bais gone to- t'he JTiry> aind I expert them every monnent to retuxm with tlheir verdict. Paolo^Ajnd you fear Laiwyer-^Tihe worst. Paoilo^Tihe wor.st ? Lawyer — ^Unlles® proviideinice islhoiiild iin- teirvene ait itihe laist momeint, I beOieve our .cause is Ihopeliesis. (Turns up stage.) Paovo — ^(Aiside.) "Uuleiss proviideince 'sboiuld intervene, our cause is ihop'e'less." iGrod forgive me! Sihe must be saved— tlieire is uo other way! (Turns up slow- ly.) [Siera. a;nd Ducia have come down.] Lucia — I'd Jike to be ithe judge of tihis court for just five m'Juutes. Sera.— I suppose you wouLd 'acqui^t the mi'S'tresis ? Lucia— Aye! And purt; you in ,ber place. 'Sera, — Me? Put me i'U iber pjace? I Ih'ad iiiotMiig ito do wiith iit ! Lucia — ^Tilieiu yo'u should lh«ve! You ought to die lamywiay, for the iLies you have told. Sera.— Wliat lies? Lucia — D'idu'it you ^S'^ear 'that Milue. Corsiica m.ade threats to kill her father's murderer? Sera. — Wel)l, wihait d)id you do? You IS wore that sihe came to Fra PaoCo's house OiQ the 'n'igiht of itlie murder, ex- cited ^aoi'd d'istresiS'ed ! Lucia — iBe quiet! I sadd no thing of the kind,— ^thiat 'w.a:s iwlhait Fra Paolo said, — I o.n'ly (Said she was ithere the next morii- •iing. Sera. — And Sag. iLucien swore -tihiat sibe .left a 'note, in wiMc-h she beg'ged him to forgive iher foir what she h^ad dome. What did he harve to fotrgive her ifoir, if not his father's murder? Lucie.n — ^She wa.nted Ihim to forgive her •for runniing laway ifrom him, whein sihe found he w;a« the son of her father's 72 miiTdei^er. Yiou' stupid I Balh! 'Twa'S youir idrunkeni italles tihiat caus^ed' all ItMS:! ■S'era-nOild PiietoO' .swoii-e itihiat .slhe ih.ad 'takien lam oaitOi to aveinge 3ier father's •deaith, whemever she foiuind the man twho kiDlied Ihini. It sieenis 'thart; everyooice toa® been icomipeililed to isweair dhe mistresis' ¥ife laway. I aim ;njot to Mame for teLd.iiig ■the ■tnuth any more ithan tOie rest of you. LoicLa — lYou aire all to bilaini'e for not finding 'the rieal iniuj^deirer. Siera.— iHow .should I find ihim? 'Lucia^ — How ido I kinow? Tihat was your 'business. You S'h'OUJd ihave looked for ihim. Olh, if I iha.d been a man, I would (have found amd 'broiug^it (the miurderer ihere myself!' ■Sena. — ^Tihe court sieemis to Ihave foumd Iher. •Luc'ia' — Tihe eonirt ? Wihat do I easre for the comrt? The court is ais big a fooil as yaiu are! 'Si'he is aiS' innocent as I am! . S-era. — TOie evidenee dis aM tihe other way. Liucia— iWhait evidenioe? Tthat S'he itTireaitened to use Iher da;ggeir om iher fa- 'fher'is mjurderer, wihen ishe found' ihim; 'thait SiTie discovered Ihim in tihe father of Ihier ilover, ia;nd' tilierefore irain: away from iher lover, ;not 'because ishe ihad kiiled' ihis 73 fatlier, Tjut because :Sihe did not waint to kiilii ihim? The evidenee dndeed! A fig- for yiQiir ev.ideaee! ^Tiat do I caire for yoiir evidienee? Didn't you Ihiear lier say Wihj slhe ra'U a'^'ay? , Sera. — Aye: tihiat's wliat usiliie says. Tihe re»S'enitiIy siay diffeTeinitly. lAicLa — A plag^ue upo^n the court and upon you aK! (Turning oin Mm, sinarply.) Do yo'U bel'i;eye the mistresis guidty? iSera. — I— ^er — er (ih*esitate«). 'Lu'cia — i('Siterjily.) Do yoai bCjieve the mistress g-u'Kity ? 'Seira. — Xo. Lucia — And you'd better mot! Ali,. if I were a majn, tbere would be no ome in 'this court room wouijd dare to (think so! (Diicia a.nd' Serafi'nio go up 'talkiiing.) 'Officer — iDet tihea-e l>e order iai the court! [E'nter Corsica, escorted by guards, ishe is joiimed by Piao^'O lamd Lucien.] ■Consica — Pnay for me, Fira Paolo; jn-ay that I may ihave the corn-age to endure ithls disgraioe. PaolH3— 4Do not ioise Ihoipe, my lohdiM, the ■end ih'a,s mot iCX)me yet. . Consioa — There is mo Ihope for mte. E'verythiing is a.gainst me. All 'believe mie giu'ilty. Th^ere can be mo other verdict. It is the w.iill of God; we must submit. 74 iLTiiciiein^— Sbo'uM' 'tiTi'eTie be sucli a ver- dict, 'we ■ wiilil 'secrare la stay, aimd appeailf to the Kinig liiim'self .: ■Ooirsica— TiTie King? 'T'woiildi be useless. The Kinig will not set aisMe it'he 'veipdii'Ct of Ihiis eount. Do noit d'eilude youTiSielveiS with vaQn h>opes, my Hove. There lis aiO' escaipe. [Piie'tro 'toiidhe'S L/iiciien oin. 'th'e arm aaid takes him aisiidie.]' Paolo— -Do :not 'deispair, my 'daiightier, I tell yiou the end has mot ,yet come. (Paolo a;nd' Coirsiica tajk aside.) Pietro — (To Liucieu.) Are you aaiimed? Liiicden — 'YeSi. 'Why do you aisk? Pietro — If yoiu lare, we eain isieize the mistress aind escape with her. You go and prepare heir for the venture, aind I wiiijl see if t!he Wiay is c:leair. Lucien^— (Looking arouinid.) It is use- lests to try. We iwouild ouly sacrifi^^ our- selve'S, aiS' well ais her. Pietro*— What of that? 'Tis better we 'Should die in tryinig to^ isave her than to ■see her perish without a!n effort. For myself, I dO' mot care to isurvive her death. She iis the laist of tlie Gaffeirii raice, iamd I aim the llaist of its iretaineirS'. It is ■moist fitting that we ,gio together. Lucien — Ajs you will. I woul(d give my ilif e a thousamd times to isave her. 75 Officer— Det lih'ere be order m tthe ooiiirt. [A g-uard itoiich'e'S Corsioa otn tlie slboul-d- er a-nd pomts to the 'dock. Corsiica bows Ihier bead, th-en tur.ns to Liieieu.] ■ Corsica — 'So tsoion? Tlhen farewel'l my love, farewel'l. If we mUfSt ino'w part, re- mem'becr, 'tLs but foir la lititle while. Griieve mot, we isihia'll meet agadii in a^n'otTier and la ibett'eir lia,nid. (They embrace pasisdon- ateuy.^ Piiietro— (iBliick'S lat Lucicm'is sleeTe.) Now is the time. ■Corsica^-^Tihe time for wlhat ? iLueien — iWe migliit save you by esicap- insg from the court. Corsica — INo! It would .seem iike a con- fe&sio-n of g-uJut. I will face the end. (To Pietro.) Do .not tempt me to play the eowiard, oild friend. Remember I am a O-afferi — (leit me die as becomes a Ooirsi- can ! [Officer aga'i'n latlvainoeiS and toucTiiug Corsica, points to tbe do'ck. Sihe haws (her head and takes iheir place. Paoilo amd Lucieiu fol'Iiow iber. Tlie judges now enter a^nd take .their pilaces om the bench. When they are seated the jury is brought m, etc.] Judge — Prisoner, liave you ainytihing to say before tihe verdict is announced? Corsiica — (Rising.) Notihiing that wild all- 76 ter tlbe jud®mienit of ^tihe ^coiUTt or 'Stay tlhe tiand lof libe lexeciintioinier. But for my so'Uil''S sake, and' 'for ithe is:ak'e of my fniienids who stiM ibel'ieye liin me, 1 wiislh- to isay, im tbe face of deaith, laind' .m itihe Ihiear- mg of Hieiaven, ■that I lam ininooeinit. My isoni]! is as ig-ulilittes® .and -as free frO'in oniimie, a;s is bhait of this poor W0'mta;n (iu- d'ieatri'ng Fioirdelessa) wiho .sits there grieving for me. I Ihave ilaid 'bare my (heart to itihds 'mam of Giod, a;nd !he kno'vvs if is iininocenit of 'tihiis grealt isin. I am at peiaoe with Heaven, aind I forgive fhe orueC' wrong w'hiclh condemns ,me for the isin of anoither. I pity ithe poor icreature wiho ihais dione itihiis deed, and hope he may ■find pairdom for ihiis' crime, as I Ihave found forglvenesis for my wicked thouglhts. iPaolo — As 'Goid';S imiinisiter, knowing (the iseicrets' of iher 'heart, I protest that this wo'ma'n is ininooeint oif any ;wroing! Judge — ^Tihe time is past for tsetimo- aiy. Tilie evidence ihais. all been weigihed aind fhe verdict ibais been found. iCorsica — Doi 'noit vex tlbe .court, Fra Paollo, or wasfe your prayers u;po,n a' bu- mani trib'unaJ. Let tbe end come quickly ais it may— I am prepared. iPao'I'O— (Aiside.) 01b God! Gave me e'trengtb to do wihat I must do now. 77 (Wial'lis siliofwly do'wn to a ipOisitiom. mear Fiorde'lessa.) DucJen — As tlhe on'e most eonoerai-ed Ln seeing my father's hua-dierer bro.ugiht to juisitice, I protest 'tliiait .sibe is innooen't. If I la'm 'U'dlE;i;n:g ito 'acquit Iher, the state fiih'OUjd be satisfi'ed'. Ju'dg'G — Coiiirts aire :not 'iiasbLtuted for priviate vengeafflee, but for the public wieail. TiMis miurder is an offieiuse agaims't t'he good lof society amd the pdace of the state. Coirsica^(To Lucien.) Gsrieve not, my 'love, I atm co'nte'nt to die, knoiwing that you Ihold me gutil'tLess land iloTe me stiilC. 'Lrticiein — iBeitteir tihian my life! •Ciorsioa — ^T.he,n 'we .s'hiail meet beyoma tihe gnave, wihere there is mo more sor- iriow,-Hno WTong,— ino' pairtiing, Joi'dge— (To tihe jurj'.) Ha ve you agreed upon a vendict? Forema.n — Vi'e have. Olerk of Court— (Rieading.) Tihe jury finds tTie ptrisoner, E'lise Gaffeiri, gudCty of >the wilfuil murder of Henri De Bray! Fior.— (Haif aside.) That ends it! Paolo — (Wiho overihears 'her.) Not yet Judgment is niot pronoiumiced 'aind shiall mot be. Fior. — (In «a)l'arm.) WOiat will you do? Paolo-^My duty! , . , 78 Fiior.-^Y'Oiu will perjure yo^urseilf amd 'break your t'o w !' Jiidge — ^Iin the aame of tihe Kin^ 'Paoilo— tHoil'd! Tihis Ihas prooeded fax eiioiig'h!' lOffioer — (Keep 'Oirder in it'h'e ciourt! iPia/ouo'—.Stop, I say ! A'nd iet ft'bis m'Oick- ery of jmsitiice coone to an end! Tbe court miiisit pairdon my aibrutpmesS', TDiut it hsis miade a mioist griave miiistakie ! 'Tis (true tlh-e murdeii-eir of Henri Die Briay iis inexe, hut it dis mot tbe pirLsoiner ait 'the bar! [Piiiordeles'sa giroiWiS mucih excited dur- linig laibove 'speech, a;nd isilowdy tabes a knife froim beneiath heT ojoa'k.] Judig'e — iWhat do yO'U im'eajn by 'tihis? Paio'I'O— (What I .say! The murd'ewr is hiere, but lit is mot the prisomer aJt the .bar! Jiudge--Do yoTi know, then, wlho the treail icriminail is? 'Paolo— 'Yieis ! Judge— lAmid thiisi 'woiman? PaoiliO^-^IiS ais immo'Cient ais yom aire! Jiudge — Iniiiooent! Then 'wlho is guilty? [A pamiS'e — Paio'Io lloo'ks at Fioo*. in mute apipeail.] . : " 'Jiudge— I repeat; if ishe is innocemit, who then is guilty ? • PaOuO— (With a supa^eme effoirt.) I am! AKl^Youl 79 [iFiordelessa sinks (back, diurubfound- ed.]' Garsica — Yon, Fra Paolo! I'ul no't be- "il'Leve it! Lucien — ^You? Arad diare you ladmdt it before 'my face? Corsica' — (To Lucien.) Peace! There dis sometMng- Ihier^ we do not understand. J'uilsre— 'W'hiait ,n'ew folily iis. thiis? Be qu'iiet, old mam, and do 'not interrupt tihe co'iuit ! Pao'lo^— il a'm guiiJty! Ain'd I am ready to pay the peinalt^' of my eriime! iDo you ih'eair ? I am the '^u-iil'ty one ! Reueaise tf hat tonoeent womatn, land piilt me in hc'r place. (A pause.) IH' fthe name of the Kin^ I demaind the arrest of the murder of Henri De Biiay!^ Judg'e — ^^T'hait cam in'ot be do'ue 'wi'tiiout (Sufficient eviidemee. Paol'O — I oomfeisis the crime. That is emoiugli! Judge — Not quite. Wihy did you not tsipeak of tihis before ? Why waiit tiil'I notw ? Paoilo^ — I iho'i>ed that the evidence 'would ■be insufficieint to warra.nt the court in oomdemming am 'ijnm'ocemt 'woimam. Judge — 'The iLaw requiires prooif./ How 'earn the court know tihiat this is net a trick to S'erve tlie purpose of delay ? Paolo— (With diigniity of the priest.) A 80 man of my lag^e am^d' 'cailiiinig id'oes nott sitoop ibo isoidi itrieksi lais tihiait ! Pa-'oof ? Wo'uiM a DPaitiioum'l :man piiit thrls (life in j^eoipiairdy wditlhouit good reaisioin? But if it is proof yiou wamt, listem,, amid I 'W'iiM tell you that Wibidli the m'urderer laione couid kmow. 'Gein. De Bmay ;wais kdiled 'wiith a knife of peouuiar islhape. Tlhis knife eain' not bie f oinnd. L'O'dk in the basin ef tOie f O'Unitain in Mile. 'C'Oirsioa'''S igiairden and yo'U will ifimd the knife with wttiieh the murdeir was ■oomimitted. Judige-^CTo officer.)! ]jet seairdh be made for tihe knife at on,oe. [B3^it officeiis.] Paoio — ^Do mot fear; they iwili' find' it. It is la knife of moslt cnrioiUiS design. It ibeiloings to Mile. Corsica, ia;nd is an oid faimiily irelic. Om the' liiaind)Le of the knife i:s carved a ihoirn of plenty, emiblemiatic of the geno'rosity of the iGraffeiri family; oin tihe blade, begin)ning at t'he hiilt, ai'e iseverail moticihes; one owe side there is oaie inot'oh niiore tham on the oitlher. TIhe first /notob wais miade 'wlhein the fia^st Gafferi :wias sjain; its oompainion on tiie other iside 'wais made wlhein ihis detaitih was avenged. Tihe odd notoh indicates that there is stiCd a death to be avenged. If Mile. CofrsioaJ oi* amy of the Gafferi famiily ihad dome tihiiis deed, there 81 ■would liavie beeni a.iiiOtJber no'toh, wiliidh wooiLd Mve "batlanoed the account! MEe. 'Consi'caj will tell you whetber slie Oiad s-uoh la knife las I idescxibe, land Pietro wiH t'el'l yoiu tQiat it hais been missing simee •th'e murd'er of Die Bray! Corsioa^He speaks tihe truth! Oh! Heaven! Can 'thiis uninaturail ithing be true? Sera. — (To Lucien.) Tib at was the viery knife the mistresis -seized wten slbe S'wotre to avenige her faltber's murder. iLueia — (To Seralino.) Be quiet, you fool! You •have said too muc-ih auready! Judge — (For sucih a crime there must ibave been some mottive. Wibat reaisou •could yoTi have for kil'Ling Henri De Bray? PaoliO — My reasons are my own. 8uf- -fice it to isay, that thLs .mam's 'Iiife was most dangerous to thie peace of one wibo 'was very dear to me. Jiudge — A,nd for the 'sake of anotheir, you have kiiZed a felloiwma^n? PiaoLO— iFor tbie sake of tibat other, I 'would huavo killed myself! Jiudge — ^For the .sfake of another, you ibave sacrificed yoair O'Win eternal soul? Paolo— 'In the courts of heaven, the sacrifice vnbiob I ibave made wdul be ap- plauded, not condemned! 82 [Be-^eniteir officeirs' wi'th tbe knife.] Officer — We f oaiind tihe knife in itlhe ba- sin of tlie faUintaiin, las ibe sajid. (Griives kmiif e to judgie.) •Pa'Oilo — Tih'ere iS' my evidence! Yoii see 1 spoke tlie trutlh! Judge — Tibiis prove'S inoitihing; it a mere ■circumis'taince. iPa'Olo — A eireumisttainioe ? It is proof! How oou'vd I know 'the kndfe 'wais (there if I did not put it 'tTiere myiself ? 'Ciorsiieai— (Tio iwihom kiiife 'has been show'n by officer.) Grod forgive 'him! That is 'the knife! Ob, Fira Faoilo! Fra Paoilo! Wihiat bave yoiii doine? Wihat bave you doine? Piao^'o — You bear? Sbe isiays it iis the kniife. It was stoilien fro'm ber boU'Se oq rfibe nagbt of 'tibe muirder. 'Gen. De Bray -was ki'led :with a knjife iwitb a jagged ledge. I produce ithe kmife. I eoinf esS' tbe CTime. Iin the inlame of Heaven, )wbat further proof do you require? iJudge— iTbe cimeumistanceis 'wiEirriant us in settinig a,side tibe verdict aigainst the pr.lisoner, and we bereby suspeaid judg- inDent u;nitiil la more formal inquiiry ca,n be Ibield. Tbe officers wiijl arreiSt tbe priest, Fira Paolo. PaoiJo— (Aside.) God forgive tbe lie 83 and receive my soiil! It wa^s tlie omLy way! [Bows Ms ibead in prayer.] Luoien — (To Corsiioa.) My own! At I'ast your innocenice is proved, ajnd you lare nime! M'ine forever more! iOoPsiea — *My innocence is proved; but, oil, liucien, at wlnat .a price! Lueia — (S'he iiiais g>one ito Paoilo, but he dotes ,not .notice 'her, she ino'W touches him igentily on the arm.) Fra Paolo! PaiOLO — (Looking at her.) My g;ood Lcu- ■oia, do not 'be grieved. Do not lose faith in me. I have acted for the best. (To Cons'iioa.) And you, imy dhiild, do lUot hate imy memory; ibut pray that we may meet again in my father's house. Nay, do not we^ep for me, for I am happy in \^•hat I [have done. Corsica — Ha ppy ? 'Paojo — Aye, happy! For the greatest joy of the old is found m seeing the hap- ipiness of 'the young! (Sees ilittle Maa'ia, kvsse« her.) Grod bless and preserve yon, tjibtl'e one! Now Ceave me, my friend's, for the sigtht Otf your tears unmans me, and I have .need of laul my courage. Leave me, I would be ailone-Hwi'th (jod. (Puts (them gently aside.) Judge— Tthene must be a formal a ecu- 84 isartiioin. Wihoi will lodigie 't!lTe coimipiliaint against tlhijjs pirieist? Liucien— '(Stepping' forward, aingrily.) I- iCorsii'oa' — (HoOding ihdm back and aside *r> liim.) ¥\(xr my sakeli Liieien — I forgive iliim! Fiaoil'Or-'God K-esis you botli! A^nd Heaven .granlt that isoime 'diay t-bese sweet frieind'9 .may see 'amd undieiristainid my act. (Siniks into cibair •oT'eT'oome, laind Td'o^ws Ibis iheaid 'Upon tbe table. Froim n^oAv to end 'Of play Piaiouo takes n'o interest in lainytihing, 'but icointimiies tO' sit wiitJh Oiis Ihead bowed, etc.) iMiaa-ki— (Wih'O has been tryiing to at- tract Lucia's attenti'Oin.) Auinty Lucia, w'hiait miakes Fiatiher Piaiolo cry? Lucia — Because he ihas killed somebody a;nd is sanry for it. Miaria— 'Do people aiwaySi cry wiien they kill s'omiebiody ? Lucia— Yes, my child. Husih, don't talk any moire. Miairva-^TIheu wthy dom't tli'at lady cry ? (Iiudicating Fioirdelessa .) iLueia— Becia'use slhie Ihias nothing to ca-y far. N'Oiw husfh, laind 'be quiet! Miairia— iS'he ought tO' cry; slie killed sio'mebiody. Lucia— HusJi, my dear; you don't know 85 fwlhiat you are siayiing'. Sine n'ev^r kiiufled anybody. Maria — Yes she did. I heaTd her say ®o. .Sih.e told Fra Piaolo she killed some- 'body. LrUoia-HWh^in did sihe teilil I'ra Paolo? 'Miariia— fY'estterda y . [Seralfino, wiho hais 'be em ilisteuing, eailLs •Lucien and Pietro. Fiordelessa is otoliv- 'ious 'to ■everytlii'n^.] Luol'ar— iW'here ? ■W'hei'— I vvas playing I was Fra Pa- olo at 'the ailtair, and Fira Piaiolo came i'n, amid I was afraiid ihe womild o^bserve me, and I ihid beh'ind the riaiCmg. Luelein.— 'T\%a!t them? Go om! Mairiia— That lady oame in, and sihe cried lamd told f aifhea* she batl kiiilled some- body. Luoia— Tibamk God! Thamk God! Heaven be praised! The dhidd iha^s found tbe truth! Judge— Wom'am, keep order in ftihe ■court. Lucien— (Goiimg to judge.) My lord, .tbere seems to be isomettong in this the court shouild bear. T!his chiild tells me ta istriamge story. Luciia— 'T'is tbe vo&ce of God, speaking 86 [tlhiroiiigih .the lips, lof ,a oMuid! Tihe saiiints fee prai'S'ed', we know ^tihe truth at laislt! /Juclg'e — (Whio hais come dowin from the TD'ench.) Be quiiet,, woman, aind Let me Oiear whiat the ohilid sayis! Wihait is it, iliittue one? Do. .not b^e afomd to teCil me. (Did' yiou iheair siome O'ne itell Fira PiaouO (that isihe had k'iliLed iso'in'ebiody ? Miariia — Ye'S. Judge — Who tioiLd hiiim thiis? iM'air'ia— '(Indioatiing iFiordelessa.) That iiady. JiUdge^^Wlhexe iweire you when you iheaird 'this? i:Mari'a^I'u the dhurcli piLayiiiig. [Fiorde'kS'sa'.s attentio-n has been at- ,tpaet&'d, and sihe ,now 'lisiteinisv wiitlh mierv- lous eairgenness. Pietro is watchiug her intentCy.] Judge— Diid' Fira Ba.oilio knoiw 'that yoo-i wiere th'eir>e? .Mairiia — N'o. Judge — Whalt did Fina Piaioilo say? Miaria— Fna Paouo got Siiek a^nd ra.n oiut 'Of the church, crying Judg'e^Welu! Go omJ Miaria— Thie lady went after him. Jud;gie— Amd toild Mm .she h'ad kiiCiled isoimiebody ? Ma'riia— 'Yes, islhe -said she 'took a knife 87 and kiE'ed Mm, so — (imitate'S Fiordeles- sa.) Judgie — i"V^"lh'0'm did site kill? Miaria — ^^S'omie big- miam. Judge — iWha.t was ihis Jianie? M.a