_Osorio (returned)._ In truth this lady loved another man, But he has perish'd. _Albert._ What? you kill'd him? hey? _Osorio._ I'll dash thee to the earth, if thou but think'st it, Thou slave! thou galley-slave! thou mountebank! 255 I leave thee to the hangman! _Albert._ Fare you well! I pity you, Osorio! even to anguish! [_ALBERT retires off the stage._ _Osorio (recovering himself)._ 'Twas ideotcy! I'll tie myself to an aspen, And wear a Fool's Cap. Ho! [_Calling after ALBERT._ _Albert (returning)._ Be brief, what wish you? _Osorio._ You are deep at bartering--you charge yourself 260 At a round sum. Come, come, I spake unwisely. _Albert._ I listen to you. _Osorio._ In a sudden tempest Did Albert perish--he, I mean, the lover-- The fellow---- _Albert._ Nay, speak out, 'twill ease your heart To call him villain! Why stand'st thou aghast? 265 Men think it natural to hate their rivals! _Osorio (hesitating and half doubting whether he should proceed)._ Now till she knows him dead she will not wed me! _Albert (with eager vehemence)._ Are you not wedded, then? Merciful God! Not wedded to Maria? _Osorio._ Why, what ails thee? Art mad or drunk? Why look'st thou upward so? 270 Dost pray to Lucifer, prince of the air? _Albert._ Proceed. I shall be silent. [_ALBERT sits, and leaning on the table hides his face._ _Osorio._ To Maria! Politic wizard! ere you sent that message, You had conn'd your lesson, made yourself proficient In all my fortunes! Hah! you prophesied 275 A golden crop!--well, you have not mistaken-- Be faithful to me, and I'll pay thee nobly. _Albert (lifting up his head)._ Well--and this lady! _Osorio._ If we could make her certain of his death, She needs must wed me. Ere her lover left her, 280 She tied a little portrait round his neck Entreating him to wear it. _Albert (sighing)._ Yes! he did so! _Osorio._ Why, no! he was afraid of accidents, Of robberies and shipwrecks, and the like. In secrecy he gave it me to keep 285 Till his return. _Albert._ What, he was your friend then? _Osorio (wounded and embarrassed)._ I was his friend. [_A pause._