MARIA. Father, I cannot leave thee! Every word of thine Gnaws like a burning coal my sore, soft heart. What! thou shalt suffer, and thine own Maria Will leave thee daughterless, uncomforted? What! thou shalt weep, and other eyes than mine Shall see the Spagnoletto's spirit broken? RIBERA. There, there, poor child! Look up, cling not so wildly About my neck. Thou art too finely touched, If thus the faint foreshadow of a grief Can overcome thee. Listen? What was that? MARIA (starts up, shudders violently, and, all at once, masters her emotion). Why, I heard nothing, father. RIBERA. Yes, a sound Of footsteps, and a stifled call. [He goes toward the casement. MARIA tries to detain him.] MARIA. Dear father, Surely 't was naught. Your ears deceive you. The wind is rising, and you heard the leaves Rustling together. RIBERA. Nay, I will look forth. [He opens the casement and looks out in silence. MARIA stands behind him, with her hands clasped in an agony of fear.] RIBERA (calling). Hist, answer! Who goes there? (a pause.) No sound. Thou'rt right, Maria; I see naught; our garden lies Vacant and still, save for the swaying branches Of bush and tree. 'T is a wild, threatening night. A sultry breeze is blowing, and the sky Hangs black above Vesuvius. Yonder cloud Hath lightnings in it. Ah, a blinding bolt Dims the volcano's pillared fire. Enough. [He closes the casement and returns to MARIA.] Hark, how the thunder rolls! My child, you tremble Like the blown leaves without. MARIA. I am oppressed By the same stormy influence. Thou knowest I dread the thunder. RIBERA. Thou, who art safely housed, Why shouldst thou dread it? Try to sleep, my darling; Forget the terror of the tempest; morn Will break again in sunshine. MARIA. Father, say You love me and you trust me once again, Before I bid good-night. RIBERA. If it will calm thee, I love thee and I trust thee. Thou art to me My genius--thou, the breathing image still Of thy saint-mother, whom the angels guard. Even as thou standest now, vested in white, With glowing eyes and pale, unsmiling face, I see her as she stood the day her heart Went forth from home and kin to bless the stranger Who craved her father's alms. MARIA. Thanks, thanks. Good-night. God bless us through these wild, dark hours. RIBERA. Good-night. SCENE II.