Enter _Longueville_ and _Bertrand_, the latter disguised and
masqued.
_Long._ Come, sir, to your post! what! a coward even to the last? you
tremble.
_Bert._ I do indeed, the storm is terrible, it seems as if heaven's own
voice were clamoring to forbid the deed. [_Thunder._
_Long._ This tumult of the night assists our enterprise; its thunders
will drown your victim's dying groan. Where have you placed the bravoes?
_Bert._ Hard by--just where the horse-road sinks into a hollow dell, and
over-spreading branches almost choke the pass, there we may rush upon
the wretched youth securely, and there our poniards--
_Long._ Hush!--a footstep!--who passes there?
Enter _1st Bravo_.
_1st Br._ Sanguine!
_Long._ Wherefore are you here, and parted from your fellow?
_1st Br._ I left him lurking in the hollow, while I sought you out to
ask advice. Just now, a horse without a rider, burst furiously through
the thicket where we lay; the lightning flashed brightly at the time,
and I plainly marked the steed to be the very same young Florian rode,
when we dogged him from the last inn, at sunset.
_Bert._ (_involuntarily_) merciful God! then thou hast preserved him.
_Long._ Villain! you may find your transports premature; perchance he
has dismounted to seek on foot some shelter from the increasing fury of
the storm; but 'tis impossible he should escape; one only path conducts
to the chateau. Quick! bestow yourselves on either side, and your
victim's fate is certain. I must return to avoid suspicion.
_Bert._ (_catching his arm._) Yet, my lord, once more reflect.
_Long._ (_throwing him off._) Recollect your oath.
_Bert._ (_desperately._) Yes, yes, it must be written on my memory in
characters of blood. [_Exeunt separately._