Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 3.pdf/189

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As she enters, something on the Wall catches her Robe, and she turns round to disentangle it, bending her Face close to the Light.

Ost. (stopping to assist her, and then gazing on her.) Thou art something I have known and loved somewhere, though it has passed away from my mind with all my better thoughts.Great power of Heaven! art thou Leonora?

Leo. (smiling.) Dost thou know me now?

Ost. I do, I do! My heart knew thee before, but my memory did not. (Kneeling and kissing both her hands.) And so it is to thee—thou whom I first loved—Pardon me, pardon me!—thou whom I loved, and dared not love; thou from whom I fled to be virtuous—thou art my deliverer. Oh! had I never loved another after thee, it had been well.Knowest thou it is a murderer thou art saving?

Leo. Say no more of this: I know thy story, and I came

Ost. O! thou earnest like a blessed Spirit to deliver me from many horrors. I was terribly beset: thou hast snatched me from a tremendous brink.

Leo. I hope so, if this key prove to be the right one.

Ost. (alarmed.) Dost thou doubt it?

Leo. It seems to me smaller than it ought to be, when I consider that massive door.