_Mel._ The count San Lucar, long thought dead, but saved. It seems, by Amelrosa's care--Time presses---- I must away: farewell. _Caesa._ At one, remember-- Beneath the royal tower---- _Mel._ Fear not my failing. _Caesa._ [_Alone_] He lives! My father lives! Oh, let but vengeance Fire him to spurn Alfonso and his friendship. His martial fame the memory of his virtues, His talents, rank, and sufferings undeserved---- Oh! what a noble column to support My new-raised power! [_Going._] _Enter_ Ottilia. [_Veiled._] _Otti._ Caesario, stay! _Caesa._ Forgive me, Fair lady, if my speech appears ungentle; Such business calls---- _Otti._ [_Unveiling_] Than mine there's none more urgent. _Caesa._ Ottilia! _Otti._ Need I say what brings me hither? _Caesa._ Those angry eyes too plainly speak, that still Estella. _Otti._ She? Dissembler! fiend?--Peace, peace; I come not here to rave, but to command. You love the Princess, are beloved again---- Speak not! She saw this scarf; her tears, her anguish Betrayed her secret. Yes, you love the Princess! But, while I breathe, if e'er her hand is yours, Strike me dead, lightnings! _Caesa._ Hear me! _Otti._ Look on this [_showing a paper_.] _Caesa._ 'Tis Guzman's hand. _Otti._ He bade me to the king Bear it with other papers; but my prudence, For mine own purposes, kept back the scroll. Lo! here a full confession of your plots-- The mine described--the vault--the hour--the signal-- What troops are gained--the list of sworn confederates-- And foremost in the list here stands Caesario! _Caesa._ Confusion! _Otti._ Nay, 'tis so! Now mark me, youth! Either mine hand at midnight as my husband's Clasps thine, or gives this paper to Alfonso! Prepare a friar--at Juan's chapel meet me At midnight, or the king---- _Caesa._ You rave, Ottilia! While Guzman lives. _Otti._ Young man, his hours are counted: Three scarce are his--Last night I drugged the bowl In which he drank a farewell to the world. Ay, ay, 'tis true! thou'rt mine! With blood I've bought thee! Nothing now parts us but the grave,--and there, E'en there I'll claim thee!--If tonight thou com'st not-- _Caesa._ I will, by heaven! _Otti._ Nay, fail at your own peril---- Your life is in my power! my breath can blast you! Choose, then, Caesario, 'twixt thy bane and bliss-- Love or a grave! a kingdom or a scaffold! My arms or death's--By yonder sun I swear, Ere morning dawns, thou shalt be mine or nothing! [_Exit._