Rod. [_rushes to the door but finds it locked_]. What ho! without there! Beat down the door! Pedro! Carlos! let me come forth! They do not come! Nay, 'tis my fancy; I will forget it all. Still, the door is fast; Leonore is gone. _Who_ groans so bitterly? Wild voices are sounding in the air, ghastly faces are looking on me as I turn, unseen hands bar the door, and dead men are groaning in mine ears. I'll not look, not listen; 'tis some spell set on me. Let it pass! [_Throws himself down and covers his face._ Voice. The spell will not cease, The curse will not fly, And spirits shall haunt Till the murderer shall die. Rod. Again, spirit or demon, wherefore dost thou haunt me, and what art thou? [Theresa's _spirit rises._] Ha! am I gone mad? Unbar the door! Help! help! [_Falls fainting to the floor._] [_Enter_ Norna. Norna. Lie there, thou sinful wretch! Old Norna's curse ends but with thy life. [_Tableau._ CURTAIN. SCENE TENTH. [_A room in the castle of_ Rodolpho. _Enter_ Rodolpho.] Rod. Dangers seem thickening round me. Some secret spy is watching me unseen,--I fear 'tis Hugo, spite the gold I gave him, and the vows he made. A higher bribe may win the secret from him, and then I am undone. Pedro hath told me that a stranger, cloaked and masked, was lurking near the castle on the night when Leonore so strangely vanished [_a laugh_]. Ha!--what's that?--methought I heard that mocking laugh again! I am grown fearful as a child since that most awful night. Well, well, let it pass! If Hugo comes to-night, obedient to the message I have sent, I'll see he goes not hence alive. This cup shalt be thy last, good Hugo! [_Puts poison in the wine-cup._] He comes,--now for my revenge! [_Enter_ Hugo.] Ah, Hugo, welcome! How hath it fared with thee since last we met? Thou lookest weary,--here is wine; sit and refresh thyself. Hugo. I came not hither, Count Rodolpho, to seek wine, but gold. Hark ye! I am poor; thou art rich, but in my power, for proud and noble though thou art, the low-born Hugo can bring death and dishonor on thy head by whispering one word to the king. Ha!--now give me gold or I will betray thee. Rod. Thou bold villain, what means this? I paid thee well, and thou didst vow to keep my secret. Threaten me not. Thou art in my power, and shall never leave this room alive. I fear thee not. My menials are at hand,--yield thyself; thou art fairly caught, and cannot now escape me.