Volume 3 / Act 5 — SCENE IX
Reading edition
COUNTESS, GORDON
GORDON (rushes in out of breath).
'Tis a mistake! 'Tis not the Swedes—Ye must proceed no further Butler!—O God! where is he?
GORDON (observing the COUNTESS).
Countess! Say—
COUNTESS.
You are come then from the castle? Where's my husband?
GORDON (in an agony of affright).
Your husband!—Ask not!—To the Duke—
COUNTESS.
Not till You have discover'd to me—
GORDON.
On this moment Does the world hang. For God's sake! to the Duke. While we are speaking—
[Calling loudly.]
Butler! Butler! God!
COUNTESS.
Why, he is at the castle with my husband.
[BUTLER comes from the Gallery.]
GORDON.
'Twas a mistake—'Tis not the Swedes—it is The Imperialists' Lieutenant-General Has sent me hither—will be here himself Instantly.—You must not proceed.
BUTLER.
He comes Too late.
[GORDON dashes himself against the wall.]
GORDON.
O God of mercy!
COUNTESS.
What too late? Who will be here himself? Octavio In Egra? Treason! Treason!—Where's the Duke?
[She rushes to the Gallery.]