You show suspicions.
[Vittia enters unnoted.
Of whom? – Of whom, and what?
Vittia (lightly). My lord, of women.
[Renier starts and turns.
So does the Holy Church instil him.
Renier. You
Come softly, lady of Venice.
Vittia. Streets of sea
In Venice teach us.
Renier. Of what women, then?
My wife? Yolanda?
Vittia. By the freedom due us,
What matters it? In Venice our lords know
That beauty has no master.
Renier. Has no… That,
That too has something hid.
Vittia. Suspicious lord!
Yet Berengere Lusignan is his wife!
And soon Yolanda – But for that I'm here.
You sent for me.
Renier (sullen). I sent.
Vittia. To say you've chosen?
And offer me irrevocable aid
To win Amaury?
Renier. All is vain in me
Before the fever for it.
Vittia. Then, I shall.
It must be done. My want is unafraid.
Hourly I am expecting out of Venice
Letters of power.
And what to you I pledge is he shall be
Ruler of Cyprus and these Mediterranean
Blue seas that rock ever against its coast.
That do I pledge … but more.
Renier. Of rule?.. Then what?
Vittia (going up to him). Of shame withheld – dishonor unrevealed.
[As he recoils.
Hush! there are steps.
[The slave re-enters.
Smarda?
Smarda (quickly). My lady!
Vittia. Speak.
Smarda. I've erred; she's not asleep.
Vittia. Who? – Ah! Yolanda?
Smarda. Yes; she is coming!
Renier. Ha!
Vittia. My lord – !
Renier. I'll stay,
Stay and confront her.
Vittia. Ignorantly? No.
Renier. I'll question her.
Vittia. Blindly, and peril all?
Renier. I will return. You put me off, and off.
[By the loggia, with Moro, he goes; the slave slips out. Yolanda enters, sadly, her gaze on the floor. She walks slowly, but becoming conscious starts, sees Vittia, and turns to withdraw.
Vittia. Your pardon —
Yolanda. I can serve you?
Vittia. If you seek
The women, they are gone.
Yolanda. I do not seek them.
Vittia. Nor me?
Yolanda. Nor any. – Yet I would I might
With seeking penetrate the labyrinth
Of your intent.
Vittia. I thank you. And you shall,
To-night – if you have love.
Yolanda. That thread were vain.
Vittia. I say, if you have love.
Yolanda. Of guile?
Vittia. Of her
You hold as mother, and who is Amaury's.
Yolanda. Were it so simple, all designs that ever
Laired in you, would to my eyes have been as clear
As shallows under Morpha's crystal wave.
Vittia. Unproven you speak so.
Yolanda. And proven would.
Vittia. If so, then – save her.
Yolanda. Who? What do you – ? (stops).
Vittia (with irony). Mean?
It is not clear?
Yolanda. Save her?
Vittia. The surety flies
Out of your cheek and dead upon your heart:
Yet you are innocent – oh innocent! —
O'er what abyss she hangs!
Yolanda. O'er no abyss.
Vittia. But to her lord is constant!
Yolanda (desperate). She is constant.
Vittia. And to his bed is true!
Yolanda. True.
Vittia. And this baron
Of Paphos – Camarin – is but her friend,
And deeply yours – as oft you feign to shield her!
Yolanda. He is no more.
Vittia. Your heart belies your lips,
Knows better than believing what you say.
Yolanda.
