Part 17

Syng. He can’t. ’Tis vain, so you may save your trouble! Your voice is treble, but the doors are double. I’ll leave you to reflect. [Exit, L.

Medora. Which can I choose-- The matrimonial, or the hangman’s noose? The Pasha’s wife--oh, no; yet, if I falter, ’Tis I that lead my Conrad to the halter. A footstep! who comes here?

Enter GULNARE, R.

Gul. Hush! not a word! The Pasha’s proposition I have heard.

Medora. And you advise me to refuse it flat?

Gul. No, to accept it.

Medora. What! wed a thing like that?

Gul. It is a match most women’s hopes would lean to.

Medora. Indeed! then marry him yourself!

Gul. I mean to.

Medora. Explain!

Gul. Nay, Conrad too, must present be.

Medora. Alas! they’ve locked him in, and ta’en the key.

Gul. But I’ve a duplicate! [Shows key.

See, this will pick it. [Goes to door.

Medora. A duplicate! that is, indeed, the ticket. [GULNARE opens door, R. 2 E., CONRAD comes out, ironed.

Conrad. We meet again, my joy who now can tell?

Medora. [Looking in.] What a vile dungeon!

Conrad. ’Tis an awful cell. Thus ironed too! these heavy fetters dangling.

Medora. That loved form ironed! Well, it’s saved from mangling.

Conrad. Sweet, ’twas your love that saved me--nothing but it. Their swords were at my throat--you bid them cut it.

Gul. But come, time flies--

Conrad. Hah! true, a just remark. Explain, too long they’ve kept me in the dark. [Points to cell.

Gul. Kept in the dark--come, there you’re wrong, methinks. Surely you’d light--those chains have lots of links.

Medora. Conrad, the Pasha offers you your freedom.

Conrad. Hah! on what terms?

Gul. In her confusion read ’em. Her hand.

Conrad. And she consents? oh, no.