Enter CARABO, ushering in FRANCISCO, in a Car. Welcome, sir, most welcome. Fran: [c.] I thank you-but pray give my horse a welcome, you know he can't ask for what he wants, so I always make a practice of seeing him well attended to, before I look to myself; therefore, if you will oblige me with a light Car. I'll see to him, sir, do not trouble yourself, 'tis my business he shall have plenty of food and water depend on't. [Exit D. F. Villa. Have you travelled far, seignor? Fran. From Vienna; I've left it now about three days, and am returning to my home. Villa. From Vienna, indeed! and pray what's the news there? Fran. Why, that 'twill soon be in the hands of the enemy -but bring me a cup of wine, host, [Crosses to L.] I can then talk to you a little better. Villa. Seignor, you shall be attended to. [Exit R, taking the bottle and all the cups off table. Fran. To-morrow night, I shall, please Heaven, rest under my own roof, and right glad shall I be; for I have a good sum of money about me in gold and notes-fearful of losing it, I have travelled the most unfrequented paths troops, French and Austrian are scattered about in every direction, and I know, by experience, it's not always safe to fall in with small parties of soldiers, even of my own country -for they are seldom ever scrupulous as to keeping their hands from picking and stealing when opportunity was favourable or tempting; I have, therefore, preferred travelling alone, as a person, meanly dressed as I am, might escape notice, while a party of travellers would be sure to attract it. This seems to be a respectable house, and the host, I think, is a civil man. [Sits at table, L. Enter VILLAFAna, L. and CarABO, D. F., with bottle and cup. Car. [Goes to back of table.] Your horse, Seignor, is doing well, and now I trust you will do likewise. Fran. I generally make myself at home, friend. [Drinks. 1. Villa. And pray Seignor, if I'm not too bold, may I ask what business carried you to Vienna ? Fran. To sell some of the best horses that ever were taken to that market; aye, the very best. Villa. [Aside, and catching his son's eye.] Indeed! Fran. That's my business. [Rises.] I'm a horse-dealer, and there's not a man in the country a better judge. But poor things, they are doom'd; yes, ere a week has passed, they'll be carrion; such well-trained creatures too: the enemy will cut them down tho', in spite of all, for they gain ground daily. Villa. They were horses for the Austrian troops, I presume? Fran. You are right. The Austrians are brave men, very brave and well disciplined; but what can withstand the force of Napoleon? Villa. He is like a fell destroyer-I have cause to hate him. Fran. And so have many, my friend-whole families have been ruined by his conquests. Come, join me in a glass, and let us drink Peace and prosperity to the land we live in. Villa. With all my heart. Car. And mine. All. [Drinking.] "Peace and prosperity to the land we live in." Villa. And so you have had a good sale for your horses, eh! Fran. Excellent, most excellent! Villa. 'Tis a profitable calling, is it not? Fran. At times it is; I have no cause to complain. Fortune has smiled upon me from earliest youth; I began the world as an humble stable boy, and by honest industry, I have risen to wealth and competency. Villa. It is not always the most deserving that prosper. Fran. No, fortune's a fickle jade; I hope you have no cause to rail against her. Villa. No, no-1 live. Car. Yes, we live, but 'tis all in an humble way. Fran. But with contentment, eh? friends; that alone brings happiness. 'Tis true, money is a desirable object as the world goes-there's no doing well without it. But one more cup, and away to bed, for travelling has fatigued me; you can accommodate me host, can you not? [Goes up and drinks. Villa. Certainly Seignor, and proud to do so. I'll shew you to a very comfortable bed, where you may sleep as soundly as fortune and a tranquil mind can make you. Fran. That's right, I love a good bed, and sleep sits heavily on my eyelids even now; but a few hours will satisfy me, for I long to be in the bosom of my family. [Rises.] Call me betimes good host, I pray you. Villa. I will, Seignor, this way; I will conduct you to your bed room. [He takes a lamp from the table, and goes out, followed by Francisco, R. Car. Full well I know the workings of my father's mind ➡yes, I can read his eyes. This traveller has, doubtless, a good sum of money upon him, the produce of his sale. It must be ours he talks of returning home, I'll follow them closely-closely-my father may want assistance-I'll listen at my mother's chamber, she is by this time, no doubt, in a profound sleep; so much the better, I would not have her witness our murderous deeds. How well this gloomy situ. ation fits our purpose, there's not another habitation within half a mile-but I must be cautious, for the very walls have [MUSIC.-He follows cautiously, L. ⚫ears. SCENE II.-Represents two apartments, in the one on the right hand is a bed, with a table and chair, and a practicable window at the back-in the left, a door at the side. [Music. Enter VILLAFANA, conducting FRANCISCO from the left apartment-they pass through a door in the partition and enter the bed room, L. Villa. [Places the lamp on table.] This then, Seignor, is your bed room; and, though I say it, the best bed in my possession every thing clean and the sheets well aired. Fran. Fail not to call me early. Villa. Depend upon me; I'm an early riser, myself. Good night-good night, and a sweet repose. Fran. I thank you, host-good night. [Villafana goes out into left apartment and joins Carabo, who has been listening cautiously, Fran. Well, thank Heaven and the saints, I have pro ceeded thus far towards home in safety; but let me see that my money's all right: I'll not throw off my clothes, that I may be in readiness to depart the quicker in the morning. MUSIC.-He undoes the girdle round his waist, and takes from thence an old leathern bag Villafana and Carabo watch Francisco through a crevice in the partition-Francisco takes from the bag a purse containing gold, and a pocket book with notes—he examines them, and places them under bolster. Villa. [In a whisper to his son.] So, so; he takes from his girdle a bag of money and a pocket book-he places them under the bolster-they must be ours my son; in a few minutes he will be asleep, then will we get possession of the treasure-if he stirs, he dies! [Exit, L. U. R. Fran. Ah, me! what cares and anxieties assail a man's head in getting through this troublesome world! but when I contrast my fortune with that of others let me not murmur. Some labour hard from morn till night, and never prosper; whilst others live like sluggards, and fortune showers her blessings: but let me not rail against her-no, no; I must not be ungrateful. To-morrow-oh! to-mor row, how I long to greet thee the sight of my wife and children will repay me for all my toil. Bless them-bless them-now then to sleep. [MUSIC.-He throws himself on the bed, having extinguished the light-at this moment a noise is heard as of some one attempting to open the windowstarting up.] Hark! what's that? methought I heard a noise. [The window at back is opened, and Juan is seen endeavouring to enter. Ha! 'tis some one endeavouring to enter the room-I feel the chill of midnight air-what can this mean?—support me, Heaven! [JUAN at length enters from window greatly intoxiicated-Francisco quietly gets off the bed, and conceals himself behind it.] Juan. So far, so good-this is better than disturbing the family-now, where's the bed? [He staggers and gropes his way to the bed. Fran. This is some assassin. Juan. Well, I've been very comfortable; and mother may prate as she will, but I like late hours-heigho! my head aches, so now to sleep it off. [He lies down. Fran. What am I to understand by this?-all's quietmy suspicions then were groundless-this man is no assassin, no robber-he has mistaken my room for his-I'll seek the landlord, and— ** [Music. As he is getting from behind the bed, VILLAFANA and CARABO enter the left apartment with a lamp, L, U. E.], Hark! I hear footsteps. Villa. [To his son.] Leave the light here, or it may disturb him, and give us trouble. Car. There is no fear of that, we are two to one-he is dead asleep too-hear how he snores. Villa. Do my bidding! would you have him wake and raise the neighbourhood with his screams? Hush! [MUSIC. They open the door cautiously. Fran. Ha! mine host and his son; what seek they here? [MUSIC.-They enter the apartment, partially closing the door after them to screen the rays of light from the bed-Villafana draws a dagger and stabs Juan, who utters a loud groan.] Villa. He is quiet-I have stabbed him to the heartseek for the money-he placed it, I think, under the bolster. Car. [Taking the bag.] 'Tis here a pocket book and a bag of money. Villa. 'Tis well. Now then for a pickaxe and a spade; we must make him a grave ere morning dawns. Come my 'tis an awful piece of work, but money! money is my idol-away-away! son, [MUSIC.-They exeunt, taking the lamp, L. U. EFrancisco crawls from underneath the bed, horrorstricken. Fran. Oh, villains!-murderers-some poor wretch has fallen a victim in my stead-I'll leave this assassin's denalarm the neighbourhood, and bring these horrid monsters to justice. No time must be lost-by this window I may get out unseen-yes, ye fiends, this poor creature's blood shall be avenged! [Music. He jumps from the window, and the scene closes. |