Let us return To our lost pathway.

Show me by what steps I shall walk in it.
[Convent bells are heard.
VALDESSO.
Hark! the convent bells Are ringing; it is midnight; I must leave you.
And yet I linger.

Pardon me, dear Countess, Since you to-night have made me your confessor, If I so far may venture, I will warn you Upon one point.
JULIA.
What is it?
Speak, I pray you, For I have no concealments in my conduct; All is as open as the light of day.
What is it you would warn me of?
VALDESSO.
Your friendship With Cardinal Ippolito.
JULIA.
What is there To cause suspicion or alarm in that, More than in friendships that I entertain With you and others?
I ne'er sat with him Alone at night, as I am sitting now With you, Valdesso.
VALDESSO.
Pardon me; the portrait That Fra Bastiano painted was for him.
Is that quite prudent?
JULIA.
That is the same question Vittoria put to me, when I last saw her.
I make you the same answer.

That was not A pledge of love, but of pure gratitude.
Recall the adventure of that dreadful night When Barbarossa with two thousand Moors Landed upon the coast, and in the darkness Attacked my castle.

Then, without delay, The Cardinal came hurrying down from Rome To rescue and protect me.