_Venoni._ Unfortunate, say you? oh, no! the day of misfortune, the day of despair was that when I heard the death-bell sound, and they told me-- twas for her! when I asked for whom was that funeral bier, and they told me-- twas for her! but from that hour I ceased to suffer. It’s true, my heart-- all there is a devouring fire-- my brain-- all there is confusion and clouds: but that fire, it was she who first kindled it! but among these gloomy clouds, she is the only object which I still perceive distinctly-- she is there, near me, always there; I see her, I speak to her, she replies to me-- oh! judge then, my friend, whether with justice I can be called unfortunate! (_sinking into the viceroy’s arms_) _Mar._ Two victims! Hortensia, two victims! one has already perished, and the other-- _Hor._ (_greatly affected_) Oh! spare me, my husband! could I have forseen-- never, never shall I cease to reproach myself-- _Pri._ My daughter, this trial is too severe for sensibility like yours. Let me entreat you, retire, and compose your mind! _Hor._ You are right, father; you shall be obeyed. Venoni-- farewell, Venoni! (_going_) _Venoni._ (_starting forward with a frantic look, and grasping her by the arm_) Hold! you must not leave me yet! first tell me, why was the marriage so long delayed? why were your orders given, that Josepha should not see me at the convent? answer me-- I will be answered! _Pri._ My son, my son! you will make me repent that I allowed this interview-- let us retire! _Venoni._ (_violently_) No, no, no! I will stay here-- here (_with affection, and embracing the marquis_) with my father. (_returning to Hortensia_) Answer me! _Hor._ (_terrified_) Venoni! for heaven’s sake! have mercy! _Venoni._ (_furious_) Mercy? had you mercy upon me? _Pri._ Venoni! follow me this instant! I command you!