Beelzebubb. My dear young lady—my dear little sister.
[He bows again, and vanishes; again the organ is heard, and Benvenuta is left, her face glowing in ecstasy, the carmine coat across her knees.]
[Curtain.]
[SCENE III: The Chapter Room. Night. The Abbess giving orders to Grimana, Rosalba, the Sister Sacristan and others, about the midnight office.]
Abbess. All are to be present. None are to be indulged. I beg you, so inform the sisters.
[Rosalba goes out.]
And the novices are all to be in their places. I know the hour is late for them, and many are young, but this is an exceptional night. Stay.—The novice Atalanta Badoer—I shall require her apart from the others. She will be needed with her lute.
Grimana. I will look to it, Reverend Mother.
[She sets about to gather her embroidery.]
Abbess. Now in the matter of the relics and vestments?