_Maria._ Didst _thou_ murder him? And dost thou now repent? Poor troubled man! I do forgive thee, and may Heaven forgive thee! 135 _Albert (aside)._ Let me be gone. _Maria._ If thou didst murder him, His spirit ever, at the throne of God, Asks mercy for thee, prays for mercy for thee, With tears in heaven! _Albert._ Albert was not murder'd. Your foster-mother---- _Maria._ And doth she know aught? 140 _Albert._ She knows not aught--but haste thou to her cottage To-morrow early--bring Lord Velez with thee. There ye must meet me--but your servants come. _Maria (wildly)._ Nay--nay--but tell me! [_A pause--then presses her forehead._ Ah! 'tis lost again! This dead confused pain! [_A pause--she gazes at ALBERT._ Mysterious man! 145 Methinks, I cannot fear thee--for thine eye Doth swim with pity--I will lean on thee. [_Exeunt ALBERT and MARIA._ _Re-enter VELEZ and OSORIO._ _Velez (sportively)._ You shall not see the picture, till you own it.[556:1] _Osorio._ This mirth and raillery, sir! beseem your age. I am content to be more serious.[556:2] 150 _Velez._ Do you think I did not scent it from the first? An excellent scheme, and excellently managed. 'Twill blow away her doubts, and now she'll wed you, I'faith, the likeness is most admirable. I saw the trick--yet these old eyes grew dimmer 155 With very foolish tears, it look'd so like him! _Osorio._ Where should I get her portrait? _Velez._ Get her portrait? Portrait? You mean the picture! At the painter's-- No difficulty then--but that you lit upon A fellow that could play the sorcerer, 160 With such a grace and terrible majesty, It was most rare good fortune. And how deeply He seem'd to suffer when Maria swoon'd, And half made love to her! I suppose you'll ask me Why did he so? _Osorio (with deep tones of suppressed agitation)._ Ay, wherefore did he so? 165 _Velez._ Because you bade him--and an excellent thought! A mighty man, and gentle as he is mighty. He'll wind into her confidence, and rout A host of scruples--come, confess, Osorio! _Osorio._ You pierce through mysteries with a lynx's eye, 170 In this, your merry mood! you see it all!