PED. There is no hope, you see.
FATH. C. No. Lafitte himself, could not have one rule for his men and another for outsiders. But you—Mariana’s brother!
PED. He does not know that I am Mariana’s brother. Once, in Bayonne, unperceived by him, I saw my sister’s lover, but I had no idea that Lafitte was the long-mourned-for man.
FATH. C. He does not know that you are Mariana’s brother!
PED. No. In view of my coming execution I have spared him the knowledge.
FATH. C. (walking about) It must not be. It would be an eternal barrier between them. Yet—how? How useless to appeal for extra time to the men.
PED. I could make some amends by sending you word of Mariana.
FATH. C. Yes.—I must risk it. (looks off to see that he is unwatched; goes to the three guns, unloads them, still leaving them powder-charged and returns them to their places; speaks to Pedro.) You will feign death upon being fired at. (Pedro nods.) And now, my poor boy, a prayer. (Pedro bows his head.) Merciful Lord of death and life, (pirates return; take up their guns.) help us now in this supreme hour. (Beluche re-measures the distance.) Save him, God, dear Father! (men station themselves.) Save him, forgive him, God, dear Mother!
BEL. One! (men raise their guns; Father Cuthbert blesses Pedro silently.) Two! (enter Mariana; she wears a long, trailing white dress and her hair is loosely twisted.) Three! (men fire; at the same moment Mariana recognizes Pedro, screams and runs to him as he falls face-downward; enter Lizbette; Father Cuthbert lifts Mariana from Pedro’s body and motions to Lizbette to take her.)