ACT II. SCENE.-The Library. Enter LORD TRESHAM hastily. This way-In, Gerard, quick! [AS GERARD enters, TRESHAM secures the door. Now speak! or, wait― I'll bid you speak directly. [Seats himself. Now repeat Firmly and circumstantially the tale You've just now told me; it eludes me; either I did not listen, or the half is gone Away from me— -How long have you lived here? Here in my house, your father kept our woods The servants in my father's house, I know, A month-each midnight has some man access Along the woodside, crosses to the south, Takes the left tree that ends the avenue... Ger. You might stand upon The main boughs like a platform . . Then he . . Tresh. Quick! Ger... Climbs up, and, where they lessen at the top, -I cannot see distinctly, but he throws, I think-for this I do not vouch-a line That reaches to the Lady's casement— Tresh. He enters not! Gerard-some wretched fool Dares pry into my sister's privacy! -Which When such are young, it seems a precious thing Their frantic thoughts upon! He does not enter? Ger. There is a lamp that's full in the midst, Under a red square in the painted glass Of Lady Mildred's . . Tresh. That lamp? Ger. Leave that name out! Well? -Is moved at midnight higher up To one pane-a small dark-blue pane-he waits My range so far, to track the stranger stag Tresh. No cross-bow shaft thro' the marauder? Ger. Yet sent But He came, my lord, the first time he was seen, Tresh. [after a pause.] You have no cause— Plucked me this way and that—fire, if I turned When I was trusted to conduct her safe Thro' the deer-herd to stroke the snow-white fawn To greet me with-she.. if it could undo I mean, I could not speak and bring her hurt Either I must confess to you, or die : Now it is done, I seem the vilest worm That crawls, to have betrayed my Lady! What man? Young? Not a vulgar hind? What dress? But I should judge him young; no hind, be sure ! Ger. Thanks, thanks, my lord! [Goes. TRESHAM paces the room. After a pause, Oh, thoughts absurd!—as with some monstrous fact To reconcile what yet I do behold— Blasting my sense! There's cheerful day outside- Fed with our food from sire to son an age,— Has told a story-I am to believe! That Mildred . . . oh no, no! both tales are true, Her pure cheek's story and the forester's! Keep me within its hand!—I will sit here Avert, oh God, only this woe from me! [As he sinks his head between his arms on the table GUENDOLEN's voice is heard at the door. Lord Tresham! [She knocks.] Is Lord Tresham there? [TRESHAM, hastily turning, pulls down the first book above him and opens it. |