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.]

SCENE X

Servants run across the Stage, full of terror.  The whole Scene must be spoken entirely without pauses.

SENI (from the Gallery).

A bloody, frightful deed!

COUNTESS.

What is it, Seni?

PAGE (from the Gallery).

O piteous sight!

[Other servants hasten in with torches.]

COUNTESS.

What is it?  For God’s sake!

SENI.

And do you ask? 
Within, the Duke lies murder’d—­and your husband
Assassinated at the Castle.

[The COUNTESS stands motionless.]

FEMALE SERVANT (rushing across the stage).

Help! help! the Duchess!

BURGOMASTER (enters).

What mean these confused
Loud cries that wake the sleepers of this house?

GORDON.

Your house is cursed to all eternity. 
In your house doth the Duke lie murder’d!

BURGOMASTER (rushing out).

Heaven forbid!

1ST SERV.

Fly! fly! they murder us all!

SECOND SERVANT (carrying silver plate).

That way! the lower
Passages are block’d up.

VOICE (from behind the Scene).

Make room for the Lieutenant-General!

[At these words the COUNTESS starts from her stupor, collects herself, and retires suddenly.]

VOICE (from behind the Scene).

Keep back the people!  Guard the door!