Pri. Spoke but too forcibly to Venoni’s heart. He talked to him of his duties; he painted the world as a spacious field for the exercise of virtue, and Venoni no longer looked upon the world with disgust.
Jer. But surely his love—his despair—the shock which his understanding has received—
Pri. Right: tis to them that we are indebted for retaining our captive in his chains. His resolution was shaken; the viceroy already triumphed; but I pronounced Josepha’s name, and instantly he forgot all but her. He is ours once more; tomorrow will see him resign his wealth and liberty in my hands; and much time shall not elapse, ere that first sacrifice is followed by a second.
Jer. And does then this count Benvolio inspire you with no apprehensions? As viceroy of Messina his power is great; and how to escape the vigilance of his suspicious eye—
Pri. And by what means then have I veiled from every eye the fate of the wretched Lodovico, who for twenty years has expiated in the gloom of our subterraneous cells the crime of having revealed our convent secrets; and yet who on earth suspects, that he has not long since sought the grave, the victim of an accidental malady? Jeronymo, fear nothing; give me but time, and the success of my design is certain.
Jer. I would fain believe it so—yet forget not, that father Michael—
Pri. His fate is decided. It’s true, I as yet accuse him only on suspicions, but these suspicions are enough. I will not live in fear, and tomorrow—some one approaches.
Jer. As well as the moonlight enables me to discern, tis Venoni—perhaps he returns hither, hoping that the viceroy may not be yet departed.
Pri. Let us retire. I have still much to say to you—summon our friends to my cell, that our proceedings may be finally arranged. Afterwards we will rejoin Venoni, and spare no pains to confirm him in that resolution, which secures at once his destruction and my revenge. Silence! he is here! Exeunt.
Venoni enters hastily.