Banquet Hall in Gorgio’s Palace.—­Lilliano has not forgotten Breda, her old nurse, in spite of her troubles, and determines to avenge herself for the many insults she received in her youth by poisoning her (Breda).  She therefore invites the old nurse to a banquet and poisons her.  Presently a knock is heard.  It is Ugolfo.  He has come to carry away the body of Michelo and to leave an extra quart of pasteurized.  Lilliano tells him that she no longer loves him, at which he goes away, dragging his feet sulkily.

ACT 3

In Front of Emilo’s House.—­Still thinking of the old man’s curse, Borsa has an interview with Cleanso, believing him to be the Duke’s wife.  He tells him things can’t go on as they are, and Cleanso stabs him.  Just at this moment Betty comes rushing in from school and falls in a faint.  Her worst fears have been realized.  She has been insulted by Sigmundo, and presently dies of old age.  In a fury, Ugolfo rushes out to kill Sigmundo and, as he does so, the dying Rosenblatt rises on one elbow and curses his mother.

III

LUCY DE LIMA

SCENE:  Wales.

TIME:  1700 (Greenwich).

CAST

  WILLIAM WONT, Lord of Glennnn Basso

  LUCY WAGSTAFF, his daughter Soprano

  BERTRAM, her lover Tenor

  LORD ROGER, friend of Bertram.  Soprano

  Irma, attendant to Lucy Basso

Friends, Retainers and Members of the local Lodge of Elks.

ARGUMENT

“Lucy de Lima,” is founded on the well-known story by Boccaccio of the same name and address.

ACT I

Gypsy Camp Near Waterbury.—­The gypsies, led by Edith, go singing through the camp on the way to the fair.  Following them comes Despard, the gypsy leader, carrying Ethel, whom he has just kidnapped from her father, who had previously just kidnapped her from her mother.  Despard places Ethel on the ground and tells Mona, the old hag, to watch over her.  Mona nurses a secret grudge against Despard for having once cut off her leg and decides to change Ethel for Nettie, another kidnapped child.  Ethel pleads with Mona to let her stay with Despard, for she has fallen in love with him on the ride over.  But Mona is obdurate.

ACT 2

The Fair.—­A crowd of sightseers and villagers is present.  Roger appears, looking for Laura.  He can not find her.  Laura appears, looking for Roger.  She can not find him.  The gypsy queen approaches Roger and thrusts into his hand the locket stolen from Lord Brym.  Roger looks at it and is frozen with astonishment, for it contains the portrait of his mother when she was in high school.  He then realizes that Laura must be his sister, and starts out to find her.