ThepassageinthatoldItalianbookWehuntedforsolongisfound，say，found——
　　AndifIletitslipagain……yousee，Thatshemustcome——andinstantly！
　　GUENDOLEN。I’lldiePiecemeal，recordthat，iftherehavenotgloomedSomebloti’the’scutcheon！
　　TRESHAM。Go！or，Guendolen，Beyouatcall，——WithAustin，ifyouchoose，——
　　Intheadjoininggallery！Therego！
　　[GUENDOLENgoes。]
　　Anotherlessontome！YoumightbidAchilddisguisehisheart’ssore，andconductSomeslyinvestigationpointbypointWithasmoothbrow，aswellasbidmecatchTheinquisitorialclevernesssomepraise。
　　Ifyouhadtoldmeyesterday，"There’soneYouneedsmustcircumventandpractisewith，Entrapbypolicies，ifyouwouldwormThetruthout:andthatoneis——Mildred！"There，There——reasoningisthrownawayonit！
　　Proveshe’sunchaste……why，youmayafterproveThatshe’sapoisoner，traitress，whatyouwill！
　　WhereIcancomprehendnought，nought’stosay，Ordo，orthink。ForceonmebutthefirstAbomination，——thenoutpourallplagues，AndIshallne’ermakecountofthem。
　　EnterMILDRED
　　MILDRED。WhatbookIsitIwanted，Thorold？GuendolenThoughtyouwerepale；youarenotpale。Thatbook？
　　That’sLatinsurely。
　　TRESHAM。Mildred，here’saline，（Don’tleanonme:I’llEnglishitforyou）
　　"Loveconquersallthings。"Whatloveconquersthem？
　　Whatloveshouldyouesteem——bestlove？
　　MILDRED。Truelove。
　　TRESHAM。Imean，andshouldhavesaid，whoseloveisbestOfallthatloveorthatprofesstolove？
　　MILDRED。
　　Thelist’ssolong:there’sfather’s，mother’s，husband’s……
　　TRESHAM。Mildred，Idobelieveabrother’sloveForasolesistermustexceedthemall。
　　Forseenow，onlysee！there’snoalloyOfearththatcreepsintotheperfect’stgoldOfotherloves——nogratitudetoclaim；
　　Younevergaveherlife，notevenaughtThatkeepslife——nevertendedher，instructed，Enrichedher——so，yourlovecanclaimnorightO’erhersavepurelove’sclaim:that’swhatIcallFreedomfromearthliness。You’llneverhopeTobesuchfriends，forinstance，sheandyou，Aswhenyouhuntedcowslipsinthewoods，Orplayedtogetherinthemeadowhay。
　　Ohyes——withage，respectcomes，andyourworthIsfelt，there’sgrowingsympathyoftastes，There’sripenedfriendship，there’sconfirmedesteem:
　　——Muchheadthesemakeagainstthenewcomer！
　　Thestartlingapparition，thestrangeyouth——
　　Whomonehalf—hour’sconversingwith，or，say，Meregazingat，shallchange（beyondallchangeThisOvideversangabout）yoursoul……Hersoul，thatis，——thesister’ssoul！Withher’Twaswinteryesterday；now，alliswarmth，Thegreenleaf’sspringingandtheturtle’svoice，"Ariseandcomeaway！"Comewhither？——farEnoughfromtheesteem，respect，andallThebrother’ssomewhatinsignificantArrayofrights！Allwhichheknowsbefore，Hascalculatedonsolongago！
　　Ithinksuchlove，（apartfromyoursandmine，）
　　Contentedwithitslittletermoflife，Intendingtoretirebetimes，awareHowsoonthebackgroundmustbeplacedforit，——Ithink，amsure，abrother’sloveexceedsAlltheworld’sloveinitsunworldliness。
　　MILDRED。Whatisthisfor？
　　TRESHAM。This，Mildred，isitfor！
　　Or，no，Icannotgotoitsosoon！
　　That’soneofmanypointsmyhasteleftout——
　　Eachday，eachhourthrowsforthitssilk—slightfilmBetweenthebeingtiedtoyoubybirth，Andyou，untilthoseslenderthreadscomposeAwebthatshroudsherdailylifeofhopesAndfearsandfancies，allherlife，fromyours:
　　Socloseyouliveandyetsofarapart！
　　AndmustIrendthisweb，tearup，breakdownThesweetandpalpitatingmysteryThatmakeshersacred？You——foryouImean，ShallIspeak，shallInotspeak？
　　MILDRED。Speak！
　　TRESHAM。Iwill。
　　Isthereastorymencould——anymanCouldtellofyou，youwouldconcealfromme？
　　I’llneverthinkthere’sfalsehoodonthatlip。
　　Say"Thereisnosuchstorymencouldtell，"
　　AndI’llbelieveyou，thoughIdisbelieveTheworld——theworldofbettermenthanI，AndwomensuchasIsupposeyou。Speak！
　　[Afterapause。]
　　Notspeak？Explainthen！Clearitupthen！MoveSomeofthemiserableweightawayThatpresseslowerthanthegrave。Notspeak？
　　Someofthedeadweight，Mildred！Ah，ifI
　　CouldbringmyselftoplainlymaketheirchargeAgainstyou！MustI，Mildred？Silentstill？
　　[Afterapause。]
　　IsthereagallantthathasnightbynightAdmittancetoyourchamber？
　　[Afterapause。]
　　Then，hisname！
　　Tillnow，Ionlyhadathoughtforyou:
　　Butnow，——hisname！
　　MILDRED。Thorold，doyoudeviseFitexpiationformyguilt，iffitTherebe！’TisnoughttosaythatI’llendureAndblessyou，——thatmyspirityearnstopurgeHerstainsoffinthefiercerenewingfire:
　　Butdonotplungemeintootherguilt！
　　Oh，guiltenough！Icannottellhisname。
　　TRESHAM。Thenjudgeyourself！HowshouldIact？Pronounce！
　　MILDRED。Oh，Thorold，youmustnevertemptmethus！
　　TodiehereinthischamberbythatswordWouldseemlikepunishment:soshouldIglide，Likeanarch—cheat，intoextremestbliss！
　　’Twereeasilyarrangedforme:butyou——
　　Whatwouldbecomeofyou？
　　TRESHAM。AndwhatwillnowBecomeofme？I’llhideyourshameandmine>Fromeveryeye；thedeadmustheavetheirheartsUnderthemarbleofourchapel—floor；
　　Theycannotriseandblastyou。YoumaywedYourparamouraboveourmother’stomb；
　　Ourmothercannotmovefrom’neathyourfoot。
　　Wetoowillsomehowwearthisonedayout:
　　Butwithto—morrowhastenshere——theEarl！
　　Theyouthwithoutsuspicion。Facecancome>FromHeavenandheartfrom……whenceproceedsuchhearts？
　　IhavedispatchedlastnightatyourcommandAmissivebiddinghimpresenthimselfTo—morrow——here——thusmuchissaid；therestIsunderstoodasif’twerewrittendown——
　　"Hissuitfindsfavorinyoureyes。"NowdictateThismorning’sletterthatshallcountermandLastnight’s——dodictatethat！
　　MILDRED。But，Thorold——ifIwillreceivehimasIsaid？
　　TRESHAM。TheEarl？
　　MILDRED。Iwillreceivehim。
　　TRESHAM[startingup]。Hothere！Guendolen！
　　GUENDOLENandAUSTINenterAnd，Austin，youarewelcome，too！Lookthere！
　　Thewomanthere！
　　AUSTINandGUENDOLEN。How？Mildred？
　　TRESHAM。Mildredonce！
　　Nowthereceivernightbynight，whensleepBlessestheinmatesofherfather’shouse，——Isay，thesoftslywantonthatreceivesHerguilt’saccomplice’neaththisroofwhichholdsYou，Guendolen，you，Austin，andhasheldAthousandTreshams——neveronelikeher！
　　Nolighterofthesignal—lampherquickFoulbreathnearquenchesinhoteagernessTomixwithbreathasfoul！noloosenerO’thelattice，practisedinthestealthytread，Thelowvoiceandthenoiselesscome—and—go！
　　Notonecomposerofthebacchant’smienInto——whatyouthoughtMildred’s，inaword！
　　Knowher！
　　GUENDOLEN。Oh，Mildred，looktome，atleast！
　　Thorold——she’sdead，I’dsay，butthatshestandsRigidasstoneandwhiter！
　　TRESHAM。Youhaveheard……
　　GUENDOLEN。Toomuch！Youmustproceednofurther。
　　MILDRED。Yes——
　　Proceed！All’struth。Gofromme！
　　TRESHAM。Allistruth，Shetellsyou！Well，youknow，oroughttoknow，AllthisIwouldforgiveinher。I’dconEachprecepttheharshworldenjoins，I’dtakeOurancestors’sternverdictsonebyone，I’dbindmyselfbeforethentoexactTheprescribedvengeance——andonewordofhers，Thesightofher，thebareleastmemoryOfMildred，myonesister，myheart’sprideAboveallprides，myallinallsolong，Wouldscattereverytraceofmyresolve。
　　WhatwereitsilentlytowasteawayAndseeherwasteawayfromthisdayforth，Twoscathedthingswithleisuretorepent，Andgrowacquaintedwiththegrave，anddieTiredoutifnotatpeace，andbeforgotten？
　　Itwerenotsoimpossibletobear。
　　Butthis——that，freshfromlastnight’spledgerenewedOflovewiththesuccessfulgallantthere，Shecalmlybidsmehelphertoentice，InveigleanunconscioustrustingyouthWhothinksherallthat’schasteandgoodandpure，——Invitesmetobetrayhim……whosofitAshonour’sselftocovershame’sarch—deed？
　　——Thatshe’llreceiveLordMertoun——（herownphrase）——
　　This，whocouldbear？Why，youhaveheardofthieves，Stabbers，theearth’sdisgrace，whoyethavelaughed，"Talknottomeoftorture——I’llbetrayNocomradeI’vepledgedfaithto！"——youhaveheardOfwretchedwomen——allbutMildreds——tiedBywildillicittiestoloselsvileYou’dtemptthemtoforsake；andthey’llreply"Gold，friends，repute，Ileftforhim，IfindInhim，whyshouldIleavehimthen，forgold，Reputeorfriends？"——andyouhavefeltyourheartRespondtosuchpooroutcastsoftheworldAstosomanyfriends；badasyouplease，You’vefelttheywereGod’smenandwomenstill，So，nottobedisownedbyyou。ButsheThatstandsthere，calmlygivesherloverupAsmeanstowedtheEarlthatshemayhideTheirintercoursethesurelier:and，forthis，Icursehertoherfacebeforeyouall。
　　Shamehuntherfromtheearth！ThenHeavendorightToboth！Ithearsmenow——shalljudgeherthen！
　　[ASMILDREDfaintsandfalls，TRESHAMrushesout。]
　　AUSTIN。Stay，Tresham，we’llaccompanyyou！
　　GUENDOLEN。We？
　　What，andleaveMildred？We？Why，where’smyplaceButbyherside，andwhereyoursbutbymine？
　　Mildred——oneword！Onlylookatme，then！
　　AUSTIN。No，Guendolen！IechoThorold’svoice。
　　Sheisunworthytobehold……
　　GUENDOLEN。Ustwo？
　　Ifyouspokeonreflection，andifI
　　Approvedyourspeech——ifyou（toputthethingAtlowest）youthesoldier，boundtomakeTheking’scauseyoursandfightforit，andthrowRegardtoothersofitsrightorwrong，——Ifwithadeath—whitewomanyoucanhelp，Letalonesister，letaloneaMildred，Youlefther——orifI，hercousin，friendThismorning，playfellowbutyesterday，Whosaid，orthoughtatleastathousandtimes，"I’dserveyouifIcould，"shouldnowfaceroundAndsay，"Ah，that’stoonlysignifyI’dserveyouwhileyou’refittoserveyourself:
　　SolongasfiftyeyesawaittheturnOfyourstoforestallitsyethalf—formedwish，I’llproffermyassistanceyou’llnotneed——
　　Wheneverytongueispraisingyou，I’lljoinThepraisers’chorus——whenyou’rehemmedaboutWithlivesbetweenyouanddetraction——livesTobelaiddownifarudevoice，rasheye，RoughhandshouldviolatethesacredringTheirworshipthrowsaboutyou，——thenindeed，Who’llstandupforyoustoutasI？"IfsoWesaid，andsowedid，——notMildredthereWouldbeunworthytobeholdusboth，Butweshouldbeunworthy，bothofus。
　　Tobebeheldby——by——yourmeanestdog，Which，ifthatswordwerebrokeninyourfaceBeforeacrowd，thatbadgetornoffyourbreast，Andyoucastoutwithhootingandcontempt，——Wouldpushhiswaythro’allthehooters，gainYourside，gooffwithyouandallyourshameTothenextditchyouchoosetodiein！Austin，Doyouloveme？Here’sAustin，Mildred，——here’sYourbrothersayshedoesnotbelievehalf——
　　No，norhalfthat——ofallheheard！Hesays，Lookupandtakehishand！
　　AUSTIN。LookupandtakeMyhand，dearMildred！
　　MILDRED。I——Iwassoyoung！
　　Beside，Ilovedhim，Thorold——andIhadNomother；Godforgotme:so，Ifell。
　　GUENDOLEN。Mildred！
　　MILDRED。Requirenofurther！DidIdreamThatIcouldpalliatewhatisdone？All’strue。
　　Now，punishme！Awomantakesmyhand？
　　Letgomyhand！Youdonotknow，Isee。
　　IthoughtthatThoroldtoldyou。
　　GUENDOLEN。Whatisthis？
　　Wherestartyouto？
　　MILDRED。Oh，Austin，loosenme！
　　Youheardthewholeofit——youreyeswereworse，Intheirsurprise，thanThorold’s！Oh，unlessYoustaytoexecutehissentence，looseMyhand！HasThoroldgone，andareyouhere？
　　GUENDOLEN。Here，Mildred，wetwofriendsofyourswillwaitYourbidding；beyousilent，sleepormuse！
　　Only，whenyoushallwantyourbiddingdone，Howcanwedoitifwearenotby？
　　Here’sAustinwaitingpatientlyyourwill！
　　Onespirittocommand，andonetoloveAndtobelieveinitanddoitsbest，Poorasthatis，tohelpit——why，theworldHasbeenwonmanyatime，itslengthandbreadth，Byjustsuchabeginning！
　　MILDRED。IbelieveIfonceIthrewmyarmsaboutyourneckAndsunkmyheaduponyourbreast，thatI
　　Shouldweepagain。
　　GUENDOLEN。Letgoherhandnow，Austin！
　　Waitforme。PacethegalleryandthinkOntheworld’sseemingsandrealities，UntilIcallyou。
　　[AUSTINgoes。]
　　MILDRED。No——Icannotweep。
　　Nomoretearsfromthisbrain——nosleep——notears！
　　OGuendolen，Iloveyou！
　　GUENDOLEN。Yes:and"love"
　　Isashortwordthatsayssoverymuch！
　　Itsaysthatyouconfideinme。
　　MILDRED。Confide！
　　GUENDOLEN。Yourlover’sname，then！I’vesomuchtolearn，EreIcanworkinyourbehalf！
　　MILDRED。Myfriend，YouknowIcannottellhisname。
　　GUENDOLEN。AtleastHeisyourlover？andyoulovehimtoo？
　　MILDRED。Ah，doyouaskmethat，——butIamfallenSolow！
　　GUENDOLEN。Youlovehimstill，then？
　　MILDRED。MysolepropAgainsttheguiltthatcrushesme！Isay，EachnightereIliedown，"Iwassoyoung——
　　Ihadnomother，andIlovedhimso！"
　　AndthenGodseemsindulgent，andIdareTrusthimmysoulinsleep。
　　GUENDOLEN。HowcouldyouletusE’entalktoyouaboutLordMertounthen？
　　MILDRED。Thereisacloudaroundme。
　　GUENDOLEN。ButyousaidYouwouldreceivehissuitinspiteofthis？
　　MILDRED。Isaythereisacloud……
　　GUENDOLEN。Nocloudtome！
　　LordMertounandyourloverarethesame！
　　MILDRED。Whatmaddestfancy……
　　GUENDOLEN[callingaloud。]Austin！（spareyourpains——
　　WhenIhavegotatruth，thattruthIkeep）——
　　MILDRED。Byallyoulove，sweetGuendolen，forbear！
　　HaveIconfidedinyou……
　　GUENDOLEN。Justforthis！
　　Austin！——Oh，nottoguessitatthefirst！
　　ButIdidguessit——thatis，Idivined，Feltbyaninstincthowitwas:whyelseShouldIpronounceyoufreefromallthatheapOfsinswhichhadbeenirredeemable？
　　Ifelttheywerenotyours——whatotherwayThanthis，notyours？Thesecret’swhollymine！
　　MILDRED。Ifyouwouldseemediebeforehisface……
　　GUENDOLEN。I’dholdmypeace！AndiftheEarlreturnsTo—night？
　　MILDRED。AhHeaven，he’slost！
　　GUENDOLEN。Ithoughtso。Austin！
　　EnterAUSTIN
　　Oh，wherehaveyoubeenhiding？
　　AUSTIN。Thorold’sgone，Iknownothow，acrossthemeadow—land。
　　IwatchedhimtillIlosthimintheskirtsO’thebeech—wood。
　　GUENDOLEN。Gone？Allthwartsus。
　　MILDRED。Thoroldtoo？
　　GUENDOLEN。Ihavethought。FirstleadthisMildredtoherroom。
　　Goontheotherside；andthenwe’llseekYourbrother:andI’lltellyou，bytheway，Thegreatestcomfortintheworld。YousaidTherewasacluetoall。Remember，Sweet，Hesaidtherewasaclue！Iholdit。Come！
　　ACTIII
　　SCENEI。——TheendoftheYew—treeAvenueunderMILDRED’SWindow。
　　AlightseenthroughacentralredpaneEnterTRESHAMthroughthetreesAgainhere！ButIcannotlosemyself。
　　Theheath——theorchard——IhavetraversedgladesAnddellsandboskypathswhichusedtoleadIntogreenwild—wooddepths，bewilderingMyboy’sadventurousstep。AndnowtheytendHitherorsoonorlate；theblackestshadeBreaksup，thethrongedtrunksofthetreesopewide，AndthedimturretIhavefledfrom，frontsAgainmystep；theveryriverputItsarmaboutmeandconductedmeTothisdetestedspot。Whythen，I’llshunTheirwillnolonger:doyourwillwithme！
　　Oh，bitter！TohaverearedatoweringschemeOfhappiness，andtobeholditrazed，Werenothing:allmenhope，andseetheirhopesFrustrate，andgrieveawhile，andhopeanew。
　　ButI……tohopethatfromalinelikeoursNohorridprodigylikethiswouldspring，WerejustasthoughIhopedthatfromtheseoldConfederatesagainstthesovereignday，Childrenofolderandyetoldersires，Whoselivingcoralberriesdropped，asnowOnme，onmanyabaron’ssurcoatonce，Onmanyabeauty’swhimple——wouldproceedNopoison—tree，tothrust，fromhellitsroot，Hitherandthitheritsstrangesnakyarms。
　　WhycameIhere？WhatmustIdo？
　　[Abellstrikes。]
　　Abell？
　　Midnight！and’tisatmidnight……Ah，Icatch——Woods，river，plains，Icatchyourmeaningnow，AndIobeyyou！Hist！Thistreewillserve。
　　[Heretiresbehindoneofthetrees。Afterapause，enterMERTOUNcloakedasbefore。]
　　MERTOUN。Nottime！BeatoutthylastvoluptuousbeatOfhopeandfear，myheart！IthoughttheclockI’thechapelstruckasIwaspushingthroughTheferns。AndsoIshallnomoreseeriseMylove—star！Oh，nomatterforthepast！
　　SomuchthemoredelicioustasktowatchMildredrevive:topluckout，thornbythorn，AlltracesoftheroughforbiddenpathMyrashloveluredherto！EachdaymustseeSomefearofherseffaced，somehoperenewed:
　　Thentherewillbesurprises，unforeseenDelightsinstore。I’llnotregretthepast。
　　[Thelightisplacedaboveinthepurplepane。]
　　Andsee，mysignalrises，Mildred’sstar！
　　IneversawitlovelierthannowItrisesforthelasttime。Ifitsets，’Tisthatthere—assuringsunmaydawn。
　　[Ashepreparestoascendthelasttreeoftheavenue，TRESHAMarrestshisarm。]
　　Unhandme——peasant，byyourgrasp！Here’sgold。
　　’Twasamadfreakofmine。IsaidI’dpluckAbranchfromthewhite—blossomedshrubbeneathThecasementthere。Takethis，andholdyourpeace。
　　TRESHAM。Intothemoonlightyonder，comewithme！
　　Outoftheshadow！
　　MERTOUN。Iamarmed，fool！
　　TRESHAM。Yes，Orno？You’llcomeintothelight，orno？
　　Myhandisonyourthroat——refuse！——
　　MERTOUN。Thatvoice！
　　WherehaveIheard……no——thatwasmildandslow。
　　I’llcomewithyou。
　　[Theyadvance。]
　　TRESHAM。You’rearmed:that’swell。DeclareYourname:whoareyou？
　　MERTOUN。（Tresham！——sheislost！）
　　TRESHAM。Oh，silent？Doyouknow，youbearyourselfExactlyas，incuriousdreamsI’vehadHowfelons，thiswildearthisfullof，lookWhenthey’redetected，stillyourkindhaslooked！
　　Thebravoholdsanassuredcountenance，Thethiefisvolubleandplausible，ButsilentlytheslaveoflusthascrouchedWhenIhavefancieditbeforeaman。
　　Yourname！
　　MERTOUN。IdoconjureLordTresham——ay，Kissinghisfoot，ifsoImightprevail——
　　ThatheforhisownsakeforbeartoaskMyname！Asheaven’sabove，hisfuturewealOrwoedependsuponmysilence！Vain！
　　Ireadyourwhiteinexorableface。
　　Knowme，LordTresham！
　　[Hethrowsoffhisdisguises。]
　　TRESHAM。Mertoun！
　　[Afterapause。]
　　Drawnow！
　　MERTOUN。HearmeButspeakfirst！
　　TRESHAM。Notoneleastwordonyourlife！
　　BesurethatIwillstrangleinyourthroatTheleastwordthatinformsmehowyouliveAndyetseemwhatyouseem！Nodoubt’twasyouTaughtMildredstilltokeepthatfaceandsin。
　　WeshouldjoinhandsinfranticsympathyIfyouoncetaughtmetheunteachable，Explainedhowyoucanlivesoandsolie。
　　WithGod’shelpIretain，despitemysense，Theoldbelief——alifelikeyoursisstillImpossible。Nowdraw！
　　MERTOUN。Notformysake，DoIentreatahearing——foryoursake，Andmost，forhersake！
　　TRESHAM。Ha，ha，whatshouldI
　　Knowofyourways？Amiscreantlikeyourself，Howmustonerousehisire？Ablow？——that’sprideNodoubt，tohim！Onespurnshim，doesonenot？
　　Orsetsthefootuponhismouth，orspitsIntohisface！Come！Which，orallofthese？
　　MERTOUN。’TwixthimandmeandMildred，Heavenbejudge！
　　CanIavoidthis？Haveyourwill，mylord！
　　[Hedrawsand，afterafewpasses，falls。]
　　TRESHAM。Youarenothurt？
　　MERTOUN。You’llhearmenow！
　　TRESHAM。Butrise！
　　MERTOUN。Ah，Tresham，sayInot"you’llhearmenow！"
　　AndwhatprocuresamantherighttospeakInhisdefencebeforehisfellowman，But——Isuppose——thethoughtthatpresentlyHemayhaveleavetospeakbeforehisGodHiswholedefence？
　　TRESHAM。Nothurt？Itcannotbe！
　　Youmadenoefforttoresistme。WhereDidmyswordreachyou？WhynothavereturnedMythrusts？Hurtwhere？
　　MERTOUN。Mylord——
　　TRESHAM。Howyoungheis！
　　MERTOUN。LordTresham，Iamveryyoung，andyetIhaveentangledotherliveswithmine。
　　Doletmespeak，anddobelievemyspeech！
　　ThatwhenIdiebeforeyoupresently，——
　　TRESHAM。CanyoustayheretillIreturnwithhelp？
　　MERTOUN。Oh，staybyme！WhenIwaslessthanboyIdidyougrievouswrongandknewitnot——
　　Uponmyhonour，knewitnot！Onceknown，IcouldnotfindwhatseemedabetterwayTorightyouthanItook:mylife——youfeelHowlessthannothingwerethegivingyouThelifeyou’vetaken！ButIthoughtmywayThebetter——onlyforyoursakeandhers:
　　Andasyouhavedecidedotherwise，WouldIhadaninfinityoflivesToofferyou！Nowsay——instructme——think！
　　Canyou，fromthebriefminutesIhaveleft，Ekeoutmyreparation？Ohthink——think！
　　ForImustwringapartial——dareIsay，Forgivenessfromyou，ereIdie？
　　TRESHAM。IdoForgiveyou。
　　MERTOUN。Waitandponderthatgreatword！
　　Because，ifyouforgiveme，IshallhopeTospeaktoyouof——Mildred！
　　TRESHAM。Mertoun，hasteAndangerhaveundoneus。’TisnotyouShouldtellmeforanoveltyyou’reyoung，Thoughtless，unabletorecallthepast。
　　Bebutyourpardonampleasmyown！
　　MERTOUN。Ah，Tresham，thatasword—strokeandadropOfbloodortwo，shouldbringallthisaboutWhy，’twasmyveryfearofyou，myloveOfyou——（whatpassionlikeaboy’sforoneLikeyou？）——thatruinedme！Idreamedofyou——
　　You，allaccomplished，courtedeverywhere，Thescholarandthegentleman。IburnedToknitmyselftoyou:butIwasyoung，AndyoursurpassingreputationkeptmeSofaraloof！Oh，whereforeallthatlove？
　　Withlessoflove，mygloriousyesterdayOfpraiseandgentlestwordsandkindestlooks，Hadtakenplaceperchancesixmonthsago。
　　Evennow，howhappywehadbeen！AndyetIknowthethoughtofthisescapedyou，Tresham！
　　Letmelookupintoyourface；Ifeel’Tischangedaboveme:yetmyeyesareglazed。
　　Where？where？
　　[Asheendeavourstoraisehimself，hiseyecatchesthelamp。]
　　Ah，Mildred！WhatwillMildreddo？
　　Tresham，herlifeisboundupinthelifeThat’sbleedingfastaway！I’lllive——mustlive，There，ifyou’llonlyturnmeIshallliveAndsaveher！Tresham——oh，hadyoubutheard！
　　Hadyoubutheard！WhatrightwasyourstosetThethoughtlessfootuponherlifeandmine，Andthensay，asweperish，"HadIthought，Allhadgoneotherwise"？We’vesinnedanddie:
　　Neveryousin，LordTresham！foryou’lldie，AndGodwilljudgeyou。
　　TRESHAM。Yes，besatisfied！
　　Thatprocessisbegun。
　　MERTOUN。AndshesitsthereWaitingforme！Now，sayyouthistoher——
　　You，notanother——say，IsawhimdieAshebreathedthis，"Iloveher"——youdon’tknowWhatthosethreesmallwordsmean！Say，lovingherLowersmedownthebloodyslopetodeathWithmemories……Ispeaktoher，notyou，Whohadnopity，willhavenoremorse，Perchanceintendher……Diealongwithme，DearMildred！’tissoeasy，andyou’ll’scapeSomuchunkindness！CanIlieatrest，Withrudespeechspokentoyou，ruderdeedsDonetoyou？——heartlessmenshallhavemyheart，AndItieddownwithgrave—clothesandtheworm，Aware，perhaps，ofeveryblow——ohGod！——
　　Uponthoselips——yetofnopowertotearThefelonstripebystripe！Die，Mildred！LeaveTheirhonourableworldtothem！ForGodWe’regoodenough，thoughtheworldcastsusout。
　　[Awhistleisheard。]
　　TRESHAM。Ho，Gerard！
　　EnterGERARD，AUSTINandGUENDOLEN，withlightsNoonespeak！Youseewhat’sdone。
　　Icannotbearanothervoice。
　　MERTOUN。There’slight——
　　Lightallaboutme，andImovetoit。
　　Tresham，didInottellyou——didyounotJustpromisetodeliverwordsofmineToMildred？
　　TRESHAM。Iwillbearthosewordstoher。
　　MERTOUN。Now？
　　TRESHAM。Now。Liftyouthebody，andleavemeThehead。
　　[AstheyhavehalfraisedMERTOUN，heturnssuddenly。]
　　MERTOUN。Iknewtheyturnedme:turnmenotfromher！
　　There！stayyou！there！
　　[Dies。]
　　GUENDOLEN[afterapause]。Austin，remainyouhereWithThorolduntilGerardcomeswithhelp:
　　Thenleadhimtohischamber。ImustgoToMildred。
　　TRESHAM。Guendolen，IheareachwordYouutter。DidyouhearhimbidmegiveHismessage？Didyouhearmypromise？I，AndonlyI，seeMildred。
　　GUENDOLEN。Shewilldie。
　　TRESHAM。Ohno，shewillnotdie！IdarenothopeShe’lldie。Whatgroundhaveyoutothinkshe’lldie？
　　Why，Austin’swithyou！
　　AUSTIN。HadwebutarrivedBeforeyoufought！
　　TRESHAM。Therewasnofightatall。
　　Heletmeslaughterhim——theboy！I’lltrustThebodytheretoyouandGerard——thus！
　　Nowbearhimonbeforeme。
　　AUSTIN。Whitherbearhim？
　　TRESHAM。Oh，tomychamber！Whenwemeettherenext，Weshallbefriends。
　　[TheybearoutthebodyofMERTOUN。]
　　Willshedie，Guendolen？
　　GUENDOLEN。Whereareyoutakingme？
　　TRESHAM。Hefelljusthere。
　　Nowanswerme。Shallyouinyourwholelife——YouwhohavenoughttodowithMertoun’sfate，Nowyouhaveseenhisbreastupontheturf，Shallyoue’erwalkthiswayifyoucanhelp？
　　WhenyouandAustinwanderarm—in—armThroughourancestralgrounds，willnotashadeBeeveronthemeadowandthewaste——
　　AnotherkindofshadethanwhenthenightShutsthewoodsidewithallitswhispersup？
　　ButwillyoueversoforgethisbreastAscarelesslytocrossthisbloodyturfUndertheblackyewavenue？That’swell！
　　Youturnyourhead:andIthen？——
　　GUENDOLEN。WhatisdoneIsdone。Mycareisfortheliving。Thorold，Bearupagainstthisburden:moreremainsTosettheneckto！
　　TRESHAM。DearandancienttreesMyfathersplanted，andIlovedsowell！
　　WhathaveIdonethat，likesomefabledcrimeOfyore，letslooseaFuryleadingthusHermiserabledanceamidstyouall？
　　Oh，nevermoreformeshallwindsintoneWithallyourtopsavastantiphony，DemandingandrespondinginGod’spraise！
　　Hersyearenow，notmine！Farewell——farewell！
　　SCENEII。——MILDRED’SChamberMILDREDaloneHecomesnot！IhaveheardofthosewhoseemedResourcelessinprosperity，——youthoughtSorrowmightslaythemwhenshelisted；yetDidtheysogatheruptheirdiffusedstrengthAtherfirstmenace，thattheybadeherstrike，Andstoodandlaughedhersubtlestskilltoscorn。
　　Oh，’tisnotsowithme！Thefirstwoefell，Andtherestfalluponit，notonme:
　　ElseshouldIbearthatHenrycomesnot？——failsJustthisfirstnightoutofsomanynights？
　　Lovingisdonewith。Werehesittingnow，Assofewhourssince，onthatseat，we’dloveNomore——contrivenothousandhappywaysTohidelovefromtheloveless，anymore。
　　IthinkImighthaveurgedsomelittlepointInmydefence，toThorold；hewasbreathlessFortheleasthintofadefence:butno，Thefirstshameover，allthatwouldmightfall。
　　NoHenry！YetImerelysitandthinkThemorn’sdeedo’erando’er。ImusthavecreptOutofmyself。AMildredthathaslostHerlover——oh，IdarenotlookuponSuchwoe！Icrouchawayfromit！’Tisshe，Mildred，willbreakherheart，notI！TheworldForsakesme:onlyHenry’sleftme——left？
　　WhenIhavelosthim，forhedoesnotcome，AndIsitstupidly……OhHeaven，breakupThisworsethananguish，thismadapathy，Byanymeansoranymessenger！
　　TRESHAM[without]。Mildred！
　　MILDRED。Comein！Heavenhearsme！
　　[EnterTRESHAM。]
　　You？alone？
　　Oh，nomorecursing！
　　TRESHAM。Mildred，Imustsit。
　　There——yousit！
　　MILDRED。Sayit，Thorold——donotlookThecurse！deliverallyoucometosay！
　　Whatmustbecomeofme？Oh，speakthatthoughtWhichmakesyourbrowandcheekssopale！
　　TRESHAM。Mythought？
　　MILDRED。Allofit！
　　TRESHAM。Howwewadedyears——ago——
　　Afterthosewater—lilies，tilltheplash，Iknownothow，surprisedus；andyoudaredNeitheradvancenorturnback:so，westoodLaughingandcryinguntilGerardcame——
　　Oncesafeupontheturf，theloudesttoo，Foroncemorereachingtherelinquishedprize！
　　Howidlethoughtsare，somemen’s，dyingmen’s！
　　Mildred，——
　　MILDRED。YoucallmekindlierbymynameThanevenyesterday:whatisinthat？
　　TRESHAM。ItweighssomuchuponmymindthatI
　　Thismorningtookanofficenotmyown！
　　Imight……ofcourse，Imustbegladorgrieved，Contentornot，ateverylittlethingThattouchesyou。ImaywithawrungheartEvenreproveyou，Mildred；Ididmore:
　　Willyouforgiveme？
　　MILDRED。Thorold？doyoumock？
　　Ohno……andyetyoubidme……saythatword！
　　TRESHAM。Forgiveme，Mildred！——areyousilent，Sweet？
　　MILDRED[startingup]。WhydoesnotHenryMertouncometo—night？
　　Areyou，too，silent？
　　[Dashinghismantleaside，andpointingtohisscabbard，whichisempty。]
　　Ah，thisspeaksforyou！
　　You’vemurderedHenryMertoun！Nowproceed！
　　WhatisitImustpardon？Thisandall？
　　Well，Idopardonyou——IthinkIdo。
　　Thorold，howverywretchedyoumustbe！
　　TRESHAM。Hebademetellyou……
　　MILDRED。WhatIdoforbidYourutteranceof！SomuchthatyoumaytellAndwillnot——howyoumurderedhim……but，no！
　　You’lltellmethathelovedme，nevermoreThanbleedingouthislifethere:mustIsay"Indeed，"tothat？Enough！Ipardonyou。
　　TRESHAM。Youcannot，Mildred！fortheharshwords，yes:
　　OfthislastdeedAnother’sjudge:whosedoomIwaitindoubt，despondencyandfear。
　　MILDRED。Oh，true！There’snoughtformetopardon！True！
　　Youloosemysoulofallitscaresatonce。
　　Deathmakesmesureofhimforever！YouTellmehislastwords？Heshalltellmethem，Andtakemyanswer——notinwords，butreadingHimselftheheartIhadtoreadhimlate，Whichdeath……
　　TRESHAM。Death？Youaredyingtoo？WellsaidOfGuendolen！Idarednothopeyou’ddie:
　　Butshewassureofit。
　　MILDRED。TellGuendolenIlovedher，andtellAustin……
　　TRESHAM。Himyouloved:
　　Andme？
　　MILDRED。Ah，Thorold！Was’tnotrashlydoneToquenchthatblood，onfirewithyouthandhopeAndloveofme——whomyoulovedtoo，andyetSufferedtositherewaitinghisapproachWhileyouwereslayinghim？Oh，doubtlesslyYoulethimspeakhispoorconfusedboy’s—speech——DohispoorutmosttodisarmyourwrathAndrespiteme！——youlethimtrytogiveThestoryofourloveandignorance，Andthebriefmadnessandthelongdespair——
　　Youlethimpleadallthis，becauseyourcodeOfhonourbidsyouhearbeforeyoustrike:
　　Butattheend，ashelookedupforlifeIntoyoureyes——youstruckhimdown！
　　TRESHAM。No！No！
　　HadIbutheardhim——hadIlethimspeakHalfthetruth——less——hadIlookedlongonhimIhaddesisted！Why，ashelaythere，Themoononhisflushedcheek，IgatheredallThestoryerehetoldit:IsawthroughThetroubledsurfaceofhiscrimeandyoursAdepthofpurityimmovable，HadIbutglanced，whereallseemedturbidestHadgleamedsomeinlettothecalmbeneath；
　　Iwouldnotglance:mypunishment’sathand。
　　There，Mildred，isthetruth！andyou——sayon——
　　Youcurseme？
　　MILDRED。AsIdareapproachthatHeavenWhichhasnotbadealivingthingdespair，Whichneedsnocodetokeepitsgracefromstain，ButbidsthevilestwormthatturnsonitDesistandbeforgiven，——I——forgivenot，Butblessyou，Thorold，frommysoulofsouls！
　　[Fallsonhisneck。]
　　There！Donotthinktoomuchuponthepast！
　　Thecloudthat’sbrokewasallthesameacloudWhileitstoodupbetweenmyfriendandyou；
　　Youhurthim’neathitsshadow:butisthatSopastretrieve？Ihavehisheart，youknow；
　　Imaydisposeofit:Igiveityou！
　　Itlovesyouasmineloves！Confirmme，Henry！
　　[Dies。]
　　TRESHAM。Iwishtheejoy，Beloved！IamgladInthyfullgladness！
　　GUENDOLEN[without]。Mildred！Tresham！
　　[EnteringwithAUSTIN。]
　　Thorold，Icoulddesistnolonger。Ah，sheswoons！
　　That’swell。
　　TRESHAM。Oh，betterfarthanthat！
　　GUENDOLEN。She’sdead！
　　Letmeunlockherarms！
　　TRESHAM。ShethrewthemthusAboutmyneck，andblessedme，andthendied:
　　You’llletthemstaynow，Guendolen！
　　AUSTIN。LeaveherAndlooktohim！Whatailsyou，Thorold？
　　GUENDOLEN。WhiteAsshe，andwhiter！Austin！quick——thisside！
　　AUSTIN。Afrothisoozingthroughhisclenchedteeth；
　　Bothlips，wherethey’renotbittenthrough，areblack:
　　Speak，dearestThorold！
　　TRESHAM。SomethingdoesweighdownMyneckbesideherweight:thanks:IshouldfallButforyou，Austin，Ibelieve！——there，there，’Twillpassawaysoon！——ah，——Ihadforgotten:
　　Iamdying。
　　GUENDOLEN。Thorold——Thorold——whywasthis？
　　TRESHAM。Isaid，justasIdrankthepoisonoff，Theearthwouldbenolongerearthtome，Thelifeoutofalllifewasgonefromme。
　　Thereareblindwaysprovided，thefore—doneHeart—wearyplayerinthispageant—worldDropsoutby，lettingthemainmasquedefileBytheconspicuousportal:Iamthrough——
　　Justthrough！
　　GUENDOLEN。Don’tleavehim，Austin！Deathisclose。
　　TRESHAM。AlreadyMildred’sfaceispeacefuller，Iseeyou，Austin——feelyou；here’smyhand，Putyoursinit——you，Guendolen，yourstoo！
　　You’relordandladynow——you’reTreshams；nameAndfameareyours:youholdour’scutcheonup。
　　Austin，noblotonit！YouseehowbloodMustwashoneblotaway:thefirstblotcameAndthefirstbloodcame。Tothevainworld’seyeAll’sgulesagain:nocaretothevainworld，>Fromwhencetheredwasdrawn！
　　AUSTIN。Noblotshallcome！
　　TRESHAM。Isaidthat:yetitdidcome。Shoulditcome，VengeanceisGod’s，notman’s。Rememberme！
　　[Dies。]
　　GUENDOLEN[lettingfallthepulselessarm]。
　　Ah，Thorold，wecanbut——rememberyou！