Enter Henriquez, lighted by Lucio.
Hen. Ay, the same.
Mel. Now, Lucio, where's thy lord?
Lucio. He charged me tell you,
He would not fail at one.
Mel. The rest wait yonder.
Gomez, Sebastian, Marcos, none are wanting:
Our chief alone is absent.
Hen. He'll not tarry.
Lead to the inner vault, I'll wait him there.
[Exeunt.
Enter Amelrosa.
Amel. Those gleams of light: I must be near the place.
—Voices!—I'll on—Oh! heaven! I can no further.
—I faint!—I die! [Catching at a fragment of
the cave, against which she leans as stupified.—A
pause.—The bell strikes one.]
Hark! the bell gives the signal.
Oh! for a moment's strength.—Hold, murderers hold! [Rushes off.
SCENE IV.—[The inner cavern, partially lighted with lamps. In the middle, folding doors guarded with iron bars; on one side a rough hewn staircase leading to a small door above.]
Gomez, Marcos, and conspirators, discovered in listening attitudes.
Gom. 'Tis strange, the time is past, and yet not here?
Mar. Henriquez too is absent.
Gom. Steps approach. [Kneeling at the folding door.]
Who knocks?
Hen. (without) A friend.
Mar. The pass word.
Hen. Empire.
Gom. Open. [Marcos unbars the door.]
Henriquez, Melchior, and Lucio, enter through the folding doors, which Marcos again closes.
Gom. Friends welcome. Melchior, is thy work complete?
Mel. Complete, and fit for springing. Nought is wanting.
The train is laid. One spark and all is done.
Our chief alone——
Gom. The private door unlocks.
Hen. Cæsario only has the key.
Mel. 'Tis he.