_Cora._ Hear him, Alonzo, hear what kindness is breathed in every word he utters!—but my mother always told me the same—“_Rolla_,” she repeatedly said, “_has one of the best of hearts—love him—marry him,—and I shall die happy_.”—But when she died, Rolla was engaged in fighting his sovereign’s battles, and during his absence a sacred flame was kindled in my bosom.—At his return, therefore, I could not love him; my heart was devoted to my God, and I only sighed for the day when I should be wedded to the Sun. _Rolla._ But this romantic enthusiasm has at length given way to nature, and love has found its way to your heart? _Cora._ Yes, Rolla, that once insensible heart is insensible no longer—be you my confident.—I love that young man; our first meeting was in the Temple of the Sun, when I saw him standing by the side of our king.—My heart was instantly overpowered with an emotion for which I could scarcely account, and the dish that contained the bread of sacrifice, almost fell from my trembling hand. An ardent glance which he cast upon me, soon gave me assurance that my feelings were not unanswered on his part—yet since I was shut up within the boundaries of the Temple, and he could only steal round the outward walls, what hope remained that we might ever find the means of personally communicating our mutual passion. The gods saw and pitied our distress.—You must well remember that awful day, some months ago, when the hills around burst out with flames of fire,—when the ocean raged, and the earth trembled,—when many palaces were laid in ruins,—when even the Temple of the Sun itself was menaced with destruction, and the walls by which it is surrounded were rent asunder in two separate places. Then, trembling, and weeping, we poor affrighted servants of the gods ran hither and thither—death seemed to reign triumphant in our cells—he seemed still to pursue us when we fled under the roof of heaven alone, and our shrieks were mingled with the groans of contending nature. Alonzo, ever on the watch among these bushes, soon perceived the breach in the wall, and boldly ventured to ascend it—one stone after another fell beneath his feet—here the earth gaped to swallow him up, and there my arm was stretched out to receive him.—The darkness veiled our love from observation; and since that time my Alonzo has frequently found his way over the same ruins. _Rolla._ Cora, I tremble for thee!—In what dreadful perils hast thou involved thyself! _Alonzo._ Tell him all!—let him know the fatal consequence of _your_ weakness, and _my_ guilt!—tell him— _Cora._ Yes, Rolla, it is true. _Rolla._ What!—how!—Oh thoughtless girl!—And you, Alonzo, were you so ignorant of our customs that—ye gods!—ye gods!—my children you must fly!—instantly fly! _Juan._ But whither? _Alonzo._ Ah, Rolla, save her! _Cora._ (_Terrified_) Is this really esteemed so high a crime here below, altho’ the gods above do not regard it as an offence.