_Venoni._ (_whom the prior has assisted to rise, casts round him a wild unconscious look, and unable to support himself reclines his head on the prior’s bosom_) What has happened? where am I?
_Pri._ In the arms of that tender friend whose sympathy--
_Venoni._ (_struck by the voice, and recollecting himself, raises his head, fixes his eyes on the prior, and repulses him with a look of extreme horror_) Thou? thou? oh, eternal justice!
_Pri._ (_astonished_) How is this? you drive me from you; and does then the sight of me inspire you with disgust?
_Pri._ In what have I offended? what is my crime?
_Venoni._ (_exasperated beyond bounds_) And still dare you ask? inhuman! still dare you ask-- what is your crime? oh, monstrous hypocrisy! oh, guilt beyond belief! she is dead! and still dare you ask-- in what have you offended?
Enter father _Anastasio_ and father _Nicolo_.
_Pri._ Silence! (_with calm dignity_) hear me, Venoni! tis plain that your senses are disordered, and I therefore listen to these insults without resentment: these insults which I have so little deserved from you. But I know well that your injustice proceeds not from your heart; and when this paroxysm of delirium is past--
_Venoni._ Delirium? no, no! do not hope it! excess of misery-- desire of vengeance have restored my reason: I feel but too well, both for myself and you, that my senses are right again, and tremble thou to hear they are so! I see you now in your true colours, in all the horrors of your atrocious guilt! your hour is arrived; your cup is full; and the abyss already yawns beneath your feet, which within an hour shall bury you in its womb for ever! farewell! (_going_)
_Pri._ Yet stay, Venoni! you must not-- you shall not leave me thus. What means this talk of guilt, of vengeance? declare at once what troubles you! I boldly challenge an immediate explanation.
_Venoni._ (_furious_) What? you brave me? ha! read! read, then, monster! (_gives him the letter, which he received from father Michael: but immediately afterwards, becoming aware of his imprudence, he endeavours to regain it_) merciful heavens, what have I done!
_Pri._ (_after examining the letter turns to the monks, and says in a calm decided tone_) Every thing is discovered-- we are betrayed.