Gul.A footstep! who comes here?Hush! not a word!
The Pasha’s proposition I have heard.
Medora.And you advise me to refuse it flat?
Medora.No, to accept it.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.Indeed! then marry him yourself!I mean to.
Gul.Explain!Nay, Conrad too, must present be.
Medora.Alas! they’ve locked him in, and ta’en the key.
Gul.But I’ve a duplicate!
But I’ve a duplicate!See, this will pick it.
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?
Conrad.What a vile dungeon!’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.But come, time flies—Hah! true, a just remark.
Explain, too long they’ve kept me in the dark.
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.Hah! on what terms?In her confusion read ’em.
Conrad.Her hand.And she consents? oh, no.
Medora.Her hand.And she consents? oh, no.I don’t.
I’d see him further first, and then I won’t.
Conrad.Brave girl, ’twould be, were I of you bereft,
A still more awful sell than that I’ve left.
Conrad.But I’ve a plan.Out with it.
Gul.But I’ve a plan.Out with it.’Tis that she
Pretend submission until you are free.
Medora.Good!But suppose he makes me sticks to it?
Gul.And marry him.Nay, trust to woman’s wit,
I mean to marry him myself—I told you;
As the sole obstacle, I now behold you.
You gone, of all my hopes comes the revival,
With your
departure, I’ve no more
a rival.
But some one comes; they must not here perceive me.
Gul.Get in.Get out.Go, go.
Medora.Get in.Get out.Go, go.You won’t deceive me?