Who lives but to protect the weak or injured. ELEANOR [Listening. 'Tis my husband's foot. Good Eldred Has a kind heart; but his imprisonment Has made him fearful, and he'll never be The man he was. IDONEA I will retire ;-good night! 250 [She goes within. Enter ELDRED (hides a bundle) ELDRED Not yet in bed, Eleanor !—there are stains in that frock which must be washed out. ELEANOR What has befallen you? ELDRED 255 I am belated, and you must know the cause— (speaking low) that is the blood of an unhappy Man. ELEANOR Oh! we are undone for ever. ELDRED Heaven forbid that I should lift my hand against any man. Eleanor, I have shed tears to-night, and it ELEANOR You have not buried anything? You are no richer than when you left me? ELDRED Be at peace; I am innocent. ELEANOR Then God be thanked 266 [A short pause; she falls upon his neck. ELDRED To-night I met with an old Man lying stretched upon the ground-a sad spectacle: I raised him up with a hope that we might shelter and restore him. ELEANOR (as if ready to run) Where is he? 271 You were not able to bring him all the way with you; let us return, I can help you. [ELDRED shakes his head. ELDRED He did not seem to wish for life: as I was struggling on, by the light of the moon I saw the stains of blood upon my clothes-he waved his hand, as if it were all useless; and I let him sink again to the ground. ELEANOR Oh that I had been by your side! ELDRED 277 I tell you his hands and his body were cold-how could I disturb his last moments? he strove to turn from me as if he wished to settle into sleep. ELEANOR But, for the stains of blood 281 ELDRED He must have fallen, I fancy, for his head was cut ; but I think his malady was cold and hunger. ELEANOR Oh, Eldred, I shall never be able to look up at this roof in storm or fair but I shall tremble. ELDRED 286 Is it not enough that my ill stars have kept me abroad to-night till this hour? I come home, and this is my comfort! ELEANOR But did he say nothing which might have set you at ease? ELDRED 291 I thought he grasped my hand while he was muttering something about his Child—his Daughter—(starting as if he heard a noise). What is that? ELEANOR Eldred, you are a father. ELDRED 295 God knows what was in my heart, and will not curse my son for my sake. ELEANOR But you prayed by him? you waited the hour of his release? ELDRED 299 The night was wasting fast; I have no friend; I am spited by the world-his wound terrified me-if I had brought him along with me, and he had died in my arms! -I am sure I heard something breathing—and this chair! 304 ELEANOR Oh, Eldred, you will die alone. You will have nobody to close your eyes—no hand to grasp your dying hand-I shall be in my grave. A curse will attend us all. ELDRED Have you forgot your own troubles when I was in the dungeon? ELEANOR And you left him alive? ELDRED 310 Alive!—the damps of death were upon him-he could not have survived an hour. ELEANOR In the cold, cold night. ELDRED (in a savage tone) 314 Ay, and his head was bare; I suppose you would have had me lend my bonnet to cover it. You will never rest till I am brought to a felon's end. ELEANOR Is there nothing to be done? cannot we go to the Convent? ELDRED Ay, and say at once that I murdered him! 320 ELEANOR Eldred, I know that ours is the only house upon the Waste; let us take heart; this Man may be rich; and could he be saved by our means, his gratitude may reward us. ELDRED 'Tis all in vain. 325 have a wife, and he may have children-let us return to the spot; we may restore him, and his eyes may yet open upon those that love him. ELDRED 329 He will never open them more; even when he spoke to me, he kept them firmly sealed as if he had been blind. IDONEA (rushing out) It is, it is, my Father ELDRED We are betrayed (looking at IDONEA). ELEANOR His Daughter!-God have mercy! (turning to IDONEA) IDONEA (sinking down) Oh! lift me up and carry me to the place. You are safe; the whole world shall not harm you. ELEANOR This Lady is his Daughter. 336 ELDRED (moved) I'll lead you to the spot. IDONEA (springing up) Alive!--you heard him breathe? quick, quick— 340 [Exeunt. |