Part 13 (2/2)

_Lydia_. No!

I will not spare you.--You have brought me to safety, You whom I fear worse than that baleful foe.

[Rises to go.]

_Wal_. [Kneeling and s.n.a.t.c.hing her hand.] Lydia!

_Lydia_. Now, make thy bounty perfect. Drop My hand. That posture which dishonours thee, Quit!--for 'tis shame on shame to show respect Where we do feel disdain. Throw ope thy gate And let me pa.s.s, and never seek with me, By look, or speech, or aught, communion more!

_Wal_. Thou saidst thou lovedst me?

_Lydia_. Yes! when I believed My tongue did take of thee its last adieu, And now that I do know it--for be sure It never bids adieu to thee again-- Again, I tell it thee! Release me, sir!

Rise!--and no hindrance to my will oppose.

That would be free to go.

_Wal_. I cannot lose thee!

_Lydia_. Thou canst not have me!

_Wal_. No!

_Lydia_. Thou canst not. I Repeat it.--Yet I'm thine--thine every way, Except where honour fences!--Honour, sir, Not property of gentle blood alone; Of gentle blood not always property!

Thou'lt not obey me. Still enforcest me!

Oh, what a contradiction is a man!

What in another he one moment spurns, The next--he does himself complacently!

_Wal_. Wouldst have me lose the hand that holds my life?

_Lydia_. Hear me and keep it, if thou art a man!

I love thee--for thy benefit would give The labour of that hand!--wear out my feet Rack the invention of my mind!--the powers Of my heart in one volition gather up!

My life expend, and think no more I gave Than he who wins a priceless gem for thanks!

For such goodwill canst thou return me wrong?

_Wal_. Yet, for awhile, I cannot let thee go.

Propound for me an oath that I'll not wrong thee!

An oath, which, if I break it, will entail Forfeit of earth and heaven. I'll take it--so Thou stay'st one hour with me.

_Lydia_. No!--Not one moment!

Unhand me, or I shriek!--I know the summons Will pierce into the street, and set me free!

I stand in peril while I'm near thee! She Who knows her danger, and delays escape, Hath but herself to thank, whate'er befalls!

Sir, I may have a woman's weakness, but I have a woman's resolution, too, And that's a woman's strength!

One moment more!--

_Wal_. Lo! Thou art free to go!

[Rises and throws himself distractedly into a chair.]

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