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Enter Hermit.

Save thee, good Father! hath thy shriving sped?
How is thy penitent?

HERMIT.

Better, I hope: may Heaven preserve his mind

In the meek frame in which I left it. Never,
In all my intercourse with wretched sinners,
Have I with a more keen ungovern'd spirit
Stronger contention held.

ROVANI.

I well believe thee:

For I have seen ere now his spirit strive
In all the restless energy of passion.
Thou hast at last subdued him?

HERMIT.

Thank God, I have! Meek and resigned to Heaven

He now appears. But go to him, my son;
He needs thy presence much. Within an hour
He leaves the castle,—leaves his wife and child;
It is not fit that he should be alone.
Go, good Rovani, and with soothing words
Keep thou his resolution to the bent.

ROVANI.

Ah! such a resolution! Heard I right?

To leave his wife and child?