Chapter 4

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._