DELL' AQUILA.
All she needs
Is your roofs shelter for the night; to-morrow
Must see her otherwise bestowed.
MALATESTA.
Go in,
Fair lady; my poor house, with all that's in it,
Is at your service. Had my wife been here,
You had had gentler 'tendance; as it is,
I'll lead you to her chamber and there leave you.
TORELLI (aside).
Now to the hunters; I've marked down the deer.
[Exit Torelli, L. U. E.
MALATESTA (to AQUILA).
You will not stay and crush a cup with me?
DELL' AQUILA.
No, not to-night.
[To Fiordelisa.] Did you not well to trust me?
Farewell; think of me in your prayers!
FIORDELISA.
I cannot.
Choose but do that, sir. [Aside.] Oh, the thought of him
Will come, henceforth, betwixt my prayers and Heaven!
[Exit Malatesta, L., leading in Fiordelisa.
DELL' AQUILA.
His child! Since when did grapes grow upon thistles?
And yet I'm glad to know the tie that binds
The two together such a holy one!
Sweet angel,—sister angels guard thy sleep!
