END OF THE FIRST ACT.
THE SECOND ACT.
THE SWORD OF DAMOCLES.
The scene is the Loggia of the Villa Colobiano, a beautiful old Florentine villa on the road to Fiesole, with a view of Florence in the distance. It is an artistic-looking place, with elegant pillars supporting a painted ceiling, coloured marble flooring, and a handsome balustrade and steps leading to the road and garden below, while noticeable on the wall of the villa, between the two entrance windows, is a glass case protecting the remnants of an old, half-obliterated fresco.
Weaver is gazing down the road through a pair of field-glasses, and Priscilla is bringing in the tea things, which she proceeds to arrange on a little table.
Weaver.
Pris.
Priscilla.
Hush! [Pointing towards the inner room.] Mr. Wilfrid has gone right off, tired out with his travelling.
Weaver.