Page:Dramas 1.pdf/111

Rh

With greater horror from the brink of death, Than I do from that moment of despair Which shall make manifest the thing I dread.

I trust that moment never will arrive.

Dost thou, my friend? dost thou, in very truth? I bless thee for that noble confidence: Would I could feel it too! Repeat thy words.

I do believe that moment will not come.

No, no! it was not thus: thy words are changed; Thy tone of voice is changed; thoughts of recoil Pass o'er thy mind, and turn their force to weakness. Thou dost not trust,—no, nor believe it neither.

Indeed, I think—I hope thou art deceived.

Shame on such timid tamp'ring with my passion, Provoking it the more! If she is guilty, I am prepared with dreadful preparation. If she is innocent,tears choke my voice: To say, "if she is innocent!" Her look, her smile, her easy lightsome gait,—