PAULINE. Good woman, I really-why, prince, what is this? does the old lady know you? Oh, I guess, you have done her some service: another proof of your kind heart, is it not? MELNOTTE. Of my kind heart, ay! PAULINE. So you know the prince ? WIDOW. Know him, madam? ah, I begin to fear it is you who know him not! PAULINE. Do you think she is mad? Can we stay here, my lord? I think there's something very wild about her. MELNOTTE. Madam, I—no, I cannot tell her, my knees knock together what a coward is a man who has lost his honour! Speak to her, speak to her (to his mother); tell her that—oh, Heaven, that I were dead! PAULINE. How confused he looks! this strange place, this woman-what can it mean? I half suspect-Who are you, madam? who are you? can't you speak? are you struck dumb? WIDOW. Claude, you have not deceived her? Ah, shame upon you! I thought that, before you went to the altar, she was to have known all. PAULINE. All! what? My blood freezes in my veins! WIDOW. Poor lady! dare I tell her, Claude? (Melnotte makes a sign of assent.) Know you not, then, madam, that this young man is of poor though honest parents? Know you not that you are wedded to my son, Claude Melnotte? PAULINE. Your son! hold, hold! do not speak to me. (Approaches Melnotte, and lays her hand on his arm.) Is this a jest? is it? I know it is; only speak; one word, one look, one smile. I cannot believe-I who loved thee so I cannot believe that thou art such a-no, I will not wrong thee by a harsh word; speak! MELNOTTE. have pity on her, on me; leave us. WIDOW. Oh, Claude, that I should live to see thee bowed by shame! thee of whom I was so proud! Her son, her son [Exit widow by the staircase. PAULINE. MELNOTTE. Now, lady, hear me. PAULINE. Hear thee! Ay, speak; her son! have fiends a parent? speak, MELNOTTE. No, curse me : Thy curse would blast me less than thy forgiveness. PAULINE (laughing wildly). "This is thy palace, where the perfumed light Of orange groves, and music from sweet lutes, I shall wake soon. (Touching him) Art flesh? The shadows seen in sleep? It is too real. MELNOTTE. Pauline, by pride Angels have fallen ere thy time; by pride- The evil spirit of a bitter love, And a revengeful heart, had power upon thee. Old gossips tell; how maidens sprung from kings Have stoop'd from their high sphere; how Love, like Death, Levels all ranks, and lays the shepherd's crook And, with such jewels as the exploring mind PAULINE. Has he a magic to exorcise hate? MELNOTTE. At last, in one mad hour, I dared to pour That should have been thy triumph, was thy scorn! For their revenge! Thou hadst trampled on the worm; It turn'd and stung thee! PAULINE. Love, sir, hath no sting. What was the slight of a poor powerless girl To the deep wrong of this vile revenge? Oh, how I loved this man! a serf! a slave ! MELNOTTE. Hold, lady! No, not slave! Despair is free! pass ! And let me come to such most poor atonement Yet in my power. Pauline! (Approaching her with great emotion, and about to take her hand.) PAULINE. No, touch me not! I know my fate. You are, by law, my tyrant; MELNOTTE. Do not fear me. Thou dost not know me, madam: at the altar |