_Venoni._ (_reading, while emotion frequently chokes his voice_) “We are undone, Cœlestino; her parents have written to me; and in a few days we must expect Venoni’s return. The incensed Josepha threatens to reveal all that has past; prayers and menaces have been tried in vain; she has determined on our destruction, and nothing can preserve us but her removal from the world. You must decide immediately; answer me but one word, and before three days are elapsed, Josepha and this dangerous secret shall be buried together, and for ever!” (_he sinks upon a bank of turf, as if stupified, and sits there in an attitude of motionless despair_) _Mi._ Josepha’s death, which happened within three days after this letter’s date, declares but too plainly, what was the villain’s answer. You are now master of the whole plot. Tis evident, that your life also is aimed at: you are a rival, whom the prior abhors; and whom it was first necessary to deceive, before he could gratify his vengeance. Your vows once pronounced-- your wealth secured-- separated from your friends-- deprived of all assistance; then it is that the storm of revenge and malice will burst in all its horrors on your devoted head. You will be dead to all the rest of nature, but you will still exist for Cœlestino; will exist to feel the whole extent of his barbarity, to experience every refinement of torture and every species of agony; without being really permitted to expire, daily to suffer a thousand and a thousand deaths. You answer not? you move not?-- rouse, rouse, Venoni; let us hasten from this dangerous abode: my fate is no less certain than your own, and flight alone can save me. It’s true, the gates are locked, but I possess the key to a private door of the garden. We are yet unobserved; rise then and let us hence. _Venoni._ (_recovering from his stupor, and suddenly starting up_) Where is he? where does the monster hide himself? I will revenge her! I will punish her murderers! _Mi._ (_violently alarmed_) What would you do? whither would you go? _Venoni._ Whither? whither? to revenge Josepha! _Mi._ For mercy’s sake, recollect yourself! this way; let us fly. _Venoni._ (_raving_) What? fly? and leave her unavenged? never! I will die, I will die! but I will punish her assassins! _Mi._ Silence, silence! these shrieks-- we shall be betrayed: you destroy yourself, Venoni! yourself and me! _Venoni._ (_with frantic screams_) Josepha! Josepha! _Mi._ (_endeavouring to force him away_) I must be gone! follow me, or you are lost! hark! holy saints they are at hand! wretched youth, they bring the death warrant of us both! come, come! for heaven’s sake come! _Venoni._ (_without heeding him_) The miscreant! the monster! oh, Josepha! _Mi._ (_in despair releasing him_) Remain, then, madman, since thou wilt have it so! remain, and perish! [Exit hastily.