Neither advance nor turn back, so we stood Mil. You call me kindlier by my name Than even yesterday-what is in that? Tresh. It weighs so much upon my mind that I I might.. of course, I must be glad or grieved, That touches you-I may with a wrung heart Tresh. Forgive me, Mildred !-are you silent, sweet? Mil. [starting up.] Why does not Henry Mertoun come to night? Are you, too, silent? [Dashing his mantle aside, and pointing to his scabbard, which is empty. Ah, this speaks for you! You've murdered Henry Mertoun ! now proceed! What is it I must pardon? This and all ? Well, I do pardon you-I think I do. Thorold, how very wretched you must be ! Tresh. He bade me tell you . . Mil. What I do forbid Your utterance of! so much that you may tell Tresh. You cannot, Mildred! for the harsh words, yes: Mil. Oh true! there's nought for me to pardon! True You loosed my soul of all its cares at onceDeath makes me sure of him for ever! You Tell me his last words? He shall tell me them, And take my answer—not in words, but reading Which death... Tresh. Death? you are dying too? Mil. Well said Tell Guendolen . . Him you loved I loved her, and tell Austin . . . Tresh. And me? Mil. Ah, Thorold! was 't not rashly done To quench that blood, on fire with youth and hope You let him speak his poor confused boy's-speech -Do his poor utmost to disarm your wrath Tresh. No! no! Had I but heard him-had I let him speak The troubled surface of his crime and yours Had I but glanced, where all seemed turbidest Mil. As I dare approach that Heaven Which has not bade a living thing despair, Which needs no code to keep its grace from stain, But bless you, Thorold, from my soul of souls! [Falls on his neck. There! do not think too much upon the past! The cloud that's broke was all the same a cloud While it stood up between my friend and you! You hurt him 'neath its shadow-but is that So past retrieve? I have his heart, you know— It loves you as mine loves! Confirm me, Henry! Tresh. I wish thee joy, beloved! I am glad In thy full gladness! Guen. [without.] Mildred! Tresham! [Entering with AUSTIN.] I could desist no longer. Ah, she swoons! [Dies. Thorold, About my neck, and blessed me, and then died. -You'll let them stay now, Guendolen ! Aus. Leave her And look to him! What ails you, Thorold? Guen. White As she and whiter! Austin-quick-this side! Tresh. Something does weigh down My neck beside her weight: thanks: I should fall 'Twill pass away soon!—ah,—I had forgotten I am dying. Guen. Thorold-Thorold-why was this? Guen. Don't leave him, Austin! death is close. Tresh. Already Mildred's face is peacefuller! I see you, Austin-feel you-here's my hand, Put yours in it-You, Guendolen, yours too! You're Lord and Lady now-You're Treshams—Name Must wash one blot away: the first blot came Aus. No blot shall come ! Should it come, Tresh. I said that-yet it did come. [Dies. Guen. [letting fall the pulseless arm.] Ah, Thorold, we can but—remember you! |