Diego. Most completely—we have wound them round our fingers.
Juan. Rolla knows their sex.
Rolla. By report chiefly.
Diego. I begin to like the adventure extremely—my little creature seemed disposed to be very loving.
Juan. Yet the clouds, so pregnant with thunder, every moment gather thicker over our heads, and wear a more menacing aspect.
Alonzo. (Taking Rolla’s hand) Brother!—dearest brother hasten to extricate us!
Rolla. I must consider the matter more calmly.—Oh what new vigour have my limbs acquired!—I am become quite another man. No longer are all things indifferent to me; I find something again to interest me in the world; I can again hope and fear, desire and reject.—Thanks to thee, Cora, for the mild rain which has thus revived the withered plant. Yes, we will fly!—Flight may be dangerous, but I shall find it therefore the more grateful. When our pursuers shall be so close upon us, that their cries assail our ears, and their arrows fly around us, then shall I be inspired with new life. When Rolla shall fight for Cora—when he shall brandish his sword in her defence, then will be, indeed, the moment for displaying the full extent of his powers. I was called valiant under the walls of Cuzco, and in the fields of Tumibamba; but then I did not fight for Cora—did not fight under her eyes!—In that situation I shall become a god!
Alonzo. (Falling on his neck) Exalted man!—Deign to give me but one friendly glance as an assurance that you have pardoned the headstrong boy!
Rolla. No, Alonzo, I would not have more merit ascribed to me than I can justly claim. All that I do is for Cora—nothing for you. Were she only to drop a withered flower into the water, and express a wish to have it again, I would instantly plunge into the stream to recover it for her, even at the hazard of my life. It is for her sake alone that I am your friend—for her sake that I pardon you.
Alonzo. Yet permit me at least to cherish a hope, that I may one day be thought worthy of a place in your friendship, for my own sake.