Margaret.

’Tis business with thee, count: Therefore few words. I have thy treasonous letter And other proofs, which I shall bring against thee Unless thou do my bidding.

Bl. What is that, My lady Peremptory? speak thy will.

Mar. Attend. Palicio is condemned to die At noon to-morrow. I require that thou Contrive that he escape, ay, and go clear Three hours before that time.

Bl. Impossible.

Mar. ’Tis not so, count. For Livio had promised me The very thing; but since his price exceeds What I need pay to thee ...

Bl. My price, how mean you?

Mar. I will give back thy letter to thy hands, And promise secrecy in every matter I had against thee.

Bl. Give me now the letter, And I will do it.

Mar. Nay. Thou’lt do it first.

Bl. Then say that if at nine to-morrow morn I have a friendly guard—

Mar. Keep to that hour: ’Twill do. I shall be there to see it done. I’ll bring the letter with me. I can provide His further safety. If thou fail, the enquiry, Which I can set on foot, delays his death, Till I find other means.

Bl. But still I see not My own security.

Mar. Thou hast my promise: And thy security is only this, To keep to thine. I go. Remember, nine. [Exit.

Bl. Wheu! wheu! Who hath the secret now? Indeed, I see this dainty lady hath a lover We little dreamed of. Therefore was he housed With Manuel. O, Giovann Palicio: Thus Livio’s rival. And thou blab of me To mistress Margaret, dost thou? well, well, well! I’ll see thee die for that. Die now thou must. I have, sir, but to tell this tale in the ear Of the chief justiciary, and I am saved.

Re-enter Livio.

Livio, thou hast a rival.

Liv. I know.

Bl. Thou knowest?

Liv. My father saith Margaret will marry Rosso.

Bl. Rosso! Rosso be hanged! ’Tis John Palicio.

Liv. Palicio!

Bl. Yes, Palicio.

Liv. Nay.

Bl. I’ll tell thee. Hark.—Was he not concealed in Manuel’s house?

Liv. Well?

Bl. And escaping from his house by night, The next day where was Margaret?

Liv. Ah!

Bl. And then ’Twas she betrayed the rebels.

Liv. Eh!

Bl. We traced The little book to her servant.

Liv. That’s against it.

Bl. Nay: it explains why all the names were there, Only not his.

Liv. But then ... nay, why should he Surrender?

Bl. That’s but madness any way. But now she comes demanding his deliverance.

Liv. Ay, she doth. O, the villain! he shall die.

Bl. He shall; but hark, I have promised Margaret To set Palicio free at nine to-morrow. Say that we go together. Margaret comes To see her lover freed. Her we will take And keep confined until his execution; Which for our purpose may be hurried on. Or if ...

Liv. Stay; why this promise? In the course Of justice he must die.

Bl. Not so. My promise To set him free was made for two good reasons. First hearing thou hadst offered her the like: Next for the knowledge that on my refusal She could find other means. Beside all which She bargains to restore me certain letters I sent her years ago, which I confess I am now ashamed of: (aside.)—Any lie will serve To smooth this idiot.—These she brings with her, And I can take them from her. My object gained I hand her o’er to thee. For all her scorns Repay her as thou wilt.

Liv. I fear her.

Bl. Nay, I can secure thee. Come. [Exeunt.