_In Manuel’s house. MARGARET and MANUEL meeting._
_MARGARET._
Brother, what wilt thou say? Wilt thou forgive me?
Hear me confess.
_MANUEL._
What now, my mischief-maker?
_Mar._ I have seen Palicio.
_Man._ Hey! ’twas thy evil genius
Led thee that way.
_Mar._ I thinking him a woman,
Offered some service: whereupon he told me
Who he was, all his story, and of his wound.
_Man._ I am sorry; I should have warned thee, for the knowledge
Makes thee so far accomplice; and I know not
How ’twill be taken when ’tis known.
_Mar._ O, brother, 830
Thou hast done nobly.
_Man._ I will tell to thee
My motives.
_Mar._ Nay, I need no motives.
_Man._ Hear them.
Palicio’s life is forfeit, for he has killed
Three of his guards: but to the dangerous deed
He had provocation, such as I should hold
Clears him of crime: wherefore I take upon me
To force a loan of Justice while she sleeps,
For fear a thief should rob her: to this, moreover,
The claim of kinship binds me,—nay, be patient,
And hear me out.—Already our disorders 840
Have been reported at the Spanish court;
The enquiry set on foot will much endamage
Hugo’s good name: I doubt not we shall have
Another viceroy, and the revolution
Will justify the movers.
_Mar._ Oh! all that,
Be as it may, will never cure his wound.
He needs a surgeon: we must find a surgeon.
_Man._ No: he must lie concealed till I procure
His pardon. His discovery now were death.
_Mar._ But if I bring one secretly?
_Man._ How secretly? 850
Better cry down the streets the man is here:
That might escape attention.
_Mar._ I know a man.
Have I not sometimes shewn thee certain sonnets
Writ in Sicilian speech?
_Man._ Eh! Michael Rosso?
_Mar._ ’Tis he. I think he’d love to do my bidding
In a more dangerous matter. Give me leave,
I’ll bring him here to-night.
_Man._ I had thought of him,
But shrank from taxing his good-will. And yet—
(_Aside._) For his own sake ’twere kind ... and Margaret asks it ...
Secrets, they say, discover sympathies.— 860
(_Aloud._) Ay, ’tis well thought of.
_Mar._ I can answer for him.
_Man._ I see. Yet there’s no cause why he should know.
Escort him blindfold hither; let Palicio
Have his face covered. Let him ask no questions:
And when ’tis done convey him blindfold back.
’Twere best he should not know.
_Mar._ O, brother, I thank thee.
_Man._ Why, girl, thou’rt crazed.
_Mar._ May I not go at once?
_Man._ Nay, wait till dusk; and see, take here my seal,
Since thou must go alone: ’twill be thy freedom
From any questionings of any people. 870
Use all precautions, and impose on Rosso
Sacredest secrecy: ’tis thou and he
Must carry it thro’. Be careful.
_Mar._ I will put on
Some common clothing, and disguise my face.
I thank thee. [_Exit._
_Man._ The girl’s in love. Now, bravo Rosso!
I wish thee well. There’s not a purer spirit
Fleshed in all Sicily; nay, nor a man
I’d sooner call brother. Why, ’twas my choice,
Long urged in vain. That chanceth in an hour
Which comes not in nine years. ’Tis very true, 880
Fancy resents all judgment, and another’s
Will often kill it quite. Now, when I looked
Rather for anything than my own wish,—heigh-ho!
’Tis I that stand in the way. I must discourage it.
_Enter Philip_ (_with some papers_).
Ah, Philip.
_PHILIP._
Let me give you back the papers.
I have read them.
_Man._ Well?
_Ph._ The viceroy’s guilt is plain.
Your purpose cannot be to press this count.
_Man._ If the complaints, which I have already made,
Be quashed at court, I shall.
_Ph._ ’Tis peculation
So gross, ’twould ruin Hugo to expose it. 890
Wished you to break with him,—yet his disgrace
Cannot be nothing to you: I should marvel
You had no associations, no affections,
Shocked at the thought.
_Man._ To interests manifold
As manifest, Justice is blind. If Spain
Remove not Hugo on the charges laid,
I have shewn thee what’s to follow. Would you avert it,
Press his dismissal. I must to the palace.
Guard thou the papers for me till I am back. [_Exit._
_Ph._ These papers are conviction. Blasco is right:
He loves not. That is clear; for he would ruin 901
Her father. Then again my rivalry
Avowed,—ay, if he had an ear, avowed,—
He doth not see. So cold, how could he win her?
Or wish to win her? She is mine.—And yet I would
’Twere any man but Manuel. Ah! who comes?
’Tis she. Now may I prove her.
_Enter Constance with Servant._
_CONSTANCE_ (_to servt._).
If she be not within, prithee enquire
Where she is gone. I will await thee here. 909
[_Exit servt._