SCENE FOURTEENTH.
[A dungeon cell. Rodolpho chained, asleep. Enter Norna.]
Norna. Thy fate is sealed, thy course is run,
And Norna's work is well-nigh done.
[Vanishes. Enter Hugo.
Rod. [awaking]. Mine eyes are bewildered by the forms I have looked upon in sleep. Methought old Norna stood beside me, whispering evil spells, calling fearful phantoms to bear me hence.
Hugo [coming forward]. Thy evil conscience gives thee little rest, my lord.
Rod. [starting up]. Who is there? Stand back! I'll sell my life most dearly. Ah, 'tis no dream,—I am fettered! Where is my sword?
Hugo. In my safe keeping, Count Rodolpho, lest in thy rage thou may'st be tempted to add another murder to thy list of sins. [Rodolpho sinks down in despair.] Didst think thou couldst escape? Ah, no; although most swift of foot and secret, Hugo hath watched and followed thee. I swore to win both gold and vengeance. The king hath offered high reward for thy poor head, and it is mine. Methinks it may cheer your solitude my lord, so I came hither on my way to bear thy death warrant to the captain of the guard. What wilt thou give for this? Hark ye! were this destroyed, thou might'st escape ere another were prepared. How dost thou like the plot?
Rod. And wilt thou save me, Hugo? Give me not up to the king! I'll be thy slave. All I possess is thine. I'll give thee countless gold. Ah, pity, and save me, Hugo!