Scene V — A Forest Walk near Wold Castle .

The Duchess OF Wold and D R R OWTH .

D UCH . Only one peal.
D R R OWTH . But what a peal!
D UCH . The bolt
Struck i' the vale, methinks.
D R R OWTH . Where are those riders?
They should be seen now coming up this way:
They're tarrying long. Lord Wold was one of them,
I'm sure of that.
D UCH . Here's some one in great haste:
What can it be?

Enter S IR H UGH DE V ALMA

S IR H UGH . Madam, I take you for
Her Grace of Wold?
D UCH . If you're Sir Hugh de Valma,
Welcome to our poor Castle
S IR H UGH . Let me tell
The end of my errand first: — Lord Wold's hurt somewhat,
But not severely: I do hope and think
'Tis only very slightly: I may venture
To assure your Grace of that. It might have been
Quite otherwise. The thunderbolt
Smote him to earth. It struck at Mervyn gate
D UCH . The Thunder!
S IR H UGH . He's reviving. I've just left him
In Mervyn, tended by the Lady Mervyn.
D UCH . In Mervyn!
S IR H UGH . Fearing the imperfect news
Might magnify the matter, and distress you,
I thought it best to come at once myself,
And tell you the strict thing.
D UCH . 'Twas kindly done:
I thank you, gallant Sir.
S IR H UGH . With your leave, Madam,
I now go back to him. He'll be with you straight,
I promise that.
D UCH . Father, will you go meet them,
And bring them on? I'll home and wait them there
D R R OWTH . With right good will.
D UCH . The Thunder.