Chapter 29

FLORUS enters.--JUSTINA and LYSANDER; LELIUS, peeping at the door of the inner room.

FLORUS [aside]. Licence has a jealous lover, Who but enters to unmask here A pretended purity, To forego politer manners. I come here with that intention... But as she is with her father I will wait a new occasion.

LYSANDER. Who is there? Some footstep passes.

FLORUS [aside]. Ah! 'tis now impossible Without speaking to get back here. Some excuse I'll try to offer:-- I am...

LYSANDER. You here, sir?

FLORUS. Your pardon. I ask leave, sir, to speak with you On a most important matter.

JUSTINA [aside]. Oh! take pity on me, fortune, For these trials are too many.

LYSANDER. Well, sir, speak.

FLORUS [aside, at the door]. Florus in Justina's house Leaves and enters like a master!-- These are not unfounded jealousies, These are real and substantial.

LYSANDER. You grow pale, you change your colour.

FLORUS. Do not wonder, be not startled, For I came to give a warning, To your life of utmost value, Of an enemy that you have, Who your swift destruction planneth. What I've said is quite sufficient.

LYSANDER [aside]. Florus, doubtless, must have gathered Somehow that I am a Christian, And thus comes in kindliest manner Of my danger to apprise me.-- [Aloud. Speak, hide nothing in this matter.

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