Hugo. Nay, not so fast, my lord. One blast upon my horn, and my brave band, concealed below, will answer to my call. Ha! ha! thou art caught, my lord. Thy life is in my hands, and thou must purchase it by fifty good pistoles paid down to me; if not, I will charge thee with the crime thou didst bribe me to perform, and thus win a rich reward. Choose,--thy life is nought to me. Rod. Do but listen, Hugo. I have no gold; smile if thou wilt, but I am poor. This castle only is mine own, and I am seeking now a rich young bride whose wealth will hide my poverty. Be just, good Hugo, and forgive the harsh words I have spoken. Wait till I am wed, and I will pay thee well. Hugo. That will I not. I'll have no more of thee, false lord! The king will well reward me, and thou mayst keep thy gold. Farewell! Thou wilt see me once again. Rod. Stay, Hugo, stay! Give me but time; I may obtain the gold. Wait a little, and it shall be thine. Wilt thou not drink? 'Tis the wine thou likest so well. See! I poured it ready for thee. Hugo. Nay; I will serve myself. Wine of thy mixing would prove too strong for me [_sits down and drinks._ Rodolpho _paces up and down waiting a chance to stab him_]. Think quickly, my good lord; I must be gone [_turns his head._ R. _raises his dagger._ Hugo _rising_]. I'll wait no more; 'tis growing late, and I care not to meet the spirits which I hear now haunt thy castle. Well, hast thou the gold? Rod. Not yet; but if thou wilt wait-- Hugo. I tell thee I will not. I'll be deceived no longer. Thou art mine, and I'll repay thy scornful words and sinful deeds by a prisoner's cell. And so, adieu, my lord. Escape is useless, for thou wilt be watched. Hugo is the master now! [_Exit_ Hugo. Rod. Thou cunning villain, I'll outwit thee yet. I will disguise myself, and watch thee well, and when least thou thinkest it, my dagger shall be at thy breast. And now one thing remains to me, and that is flight. I must leave all and go forth poor, dishonored, and alone; sin on my head, and fear within my heart. Will the sun never set? How slow the hours pass! In the first gloom of night, concealed in yonder old monk's robe, I'll silently glide forth, and fly from Hugo and this haunted house. Courage, Rodolpho, thou shalt yet win a name and fortune for thyself. Now let me rest awhile; I shall need strength for the perils of the night [_lies down and sleeps_]. [_Enter_ Norna. Norna. Poor fool! thy greatest foe is here,--her thou shalt not escape. Hugo shall be warned, and thou alone shalt fall. [_She makes signs from the window and vanishes._ Rod. [_awakes and rises_]. Ah, what fearful dreams are mine! Theresa--Louis--still they haunt me! Whither shall I turn? Who comes? [_Enter_ Gaspard.] Art thou another phantom sent to torture me?