Vitalba.—And permit me, noble Florentine, to thank you for this heroic act in the name of the Senate of Venice. Our first care shall be to seek out a reward proportioned to your merits.
Flodoardo (extending his arms towards Rosabella, with a melancholy air).—There stands the only reward for which I wish.
Andreas (joyfully).—And that reward is your own. But where have you left the bloodhound? Conduct him hither, my son, and let me look at him once more. When I last saw him, he had the insolence to tell me, “Doge, I am your equal. This narrow chamber now holds the two greatest men in Venice.” Now, then, let me see how this other great man looks in captivity.
Two or three Senators.—Where is he? Bring him hither.
Several of the ladies screamed at hearing this proposal. “For heaven’s sake,” cried they, “keep the monster away from us! I shall be frightened out of my senses if he comes here.”
“Noble ladies,” said Flodoardo, with a smile, expressing rather sorrow than joy, “you have nothing to apprehend. Abellino shall do you no harm; but he needs must come hither to claim The Bravo’s Bride.” And he pointed to Rosabella.
“Oh, my best friend,” she answered, “how shall I express my thanks to you for having thus put an end to my terrors? I shall tremble no more at hearing Abellino named. Rosabella shall now be called the Bravo’s Bride no longer.”
Falieri.—Is Abellino already in this palace?
Flodoardo.—He is.
Vitalba.—Then why do you not produce him? Why do you trifle so long with our impatience?