_Amaury._ You play a part! (_Raves._) And 'tis that you may live Still in the love that you a thief have stolen. So, with your steel----!
_Amaury._ Then I will not be thwarted though I must Crush you as one a viper with his heel, Though I must take your leper throat into My hands and strangle life from it! For the same sky you breathe I will not. The sun that falls upon you shall not foul My being-- Though I must go down into hell for it.
[_He starts, frenzied, to strike, but suddenly staggers; then clasps at his throat, drops the sword, and sinks down moaning._
[_Runs to him. He struggles to his feet._
[_She falls back; he laughs in derision._
_Vittia._ Had you but trusted me, Amaury.
_Amaury_ (_significantly_). She ... shall do it.
_Yolanda_ (_dauntedly_). Amaury! what is this?
_Vittia._ That, ere a dawn, Guileless Yolanda, you shall wed with him Your paramour of Paphos----
_Vittia._ And from these gates be led wanton away.
[YOLANDA, _for a moment whelmed, tries to laugh scorn; but, turning, her eye meets_ RENIER'S _full of suspicion. He follows_ AMAURY _meaningly into the castle._
SCENE: _The Hall and loggia of Act I; but toward sunset, and afar, on the flushed sea, are seen the fisher-boats returning pale-winged to shore. In the left distance, also, a portion of Famagouste is visible above the waves--its orient walls and towers, white domes and houses, interspersed with tall palms. The interior of the Hall is the same; only the divan is placed to the front and left, the lectern near the balcony leading to the sleeping apartments and to the chapel._ SMARDA _is lying lithely on the divan, beguiled with her charms and amulets, and from time to time giving a low, sinuous laugh._ VITTIA _enters, watches a moment, thoughtful, then advances._
_Smarda_ (_springing up_). Lady ... your slave!
_Vittia._ I think you are. Think that you are--if ever the leopard yields.
_Smarda._ To you, lady? A-ha! let him refuse. Command!
_Vittia._ And you will heed it well; I fear not. But first I have thought of requital.
_Vittia._ Those amulets you wear, of jade and sard--
_Smarda_ (_quickly dark_). Are for revenge--to bring revenge!
_Vittia._ And from Your Scythian home, over the hated sea, They came with you.