What is it that goes well?—Let me read on.
[Reading.
"To-night, at midnight, at the park gate be."—
He loves me; did he mean to kidnap me?
[Reading.
"The guard is bribed."—That was, in truth, his plan.
The saucy knave feared lest he be discharged.
[Reading.
"The countersign is given, success is sure."—
Too modest!
[Reading.
"You will say to them, 'Cologne';
"And they will answer with the rest."—Less plain.
[Reading.
"You will be able, thanks to their assistance,
[Here her voice takes on an accent of terror.
"To capture Cromwell, who'll be fast asleep
Through my good offices.—The Devil's Chaplain."—
Great Heaven what is this that I have read?
The bandage from my eyes is torn away!
'Twas at my father that that villain aimed,
And him alone!
[She examines the paper carefully.
The address is here: "To Bloum,
The Rat Hotel, the Strand."—'Twas by mistake
The traitor gave me this. I go at once
To warn my father. Villainous design!
But someone comes. I must make no delay.
It may be the assassin.
[She rushes off the stage, carrying the parchment.
[Enter Davenant.
