Page:Poet Lore, volume 33, 1922.pdf/203

 Lída (Wringing her hands with pain).—Tomsi, this blow is more painful to me than if your bullet had by chance reached me. (Sobbing) Tomsi, do not drive me away from you! Twice you have saved my life,—do not now drive me to a desperate death! ( steps out of the forest, and sees the two standing together.)

Tomeš.—Your protector I will gladly be, Lída, and always a friend, (taking both her hands) but more,—

Marie (Rushes swiftly toward them. Painfully).—And with her again,—there must be truth in what they say! ( and step away from each other surprised.)

Tomeš (To ).—You here, Marie!

Marie.—Tomeš, it was unnecessary for you to lie to me!

Tomeš.—Have you heard one untruth from me?

Marie (Angrily).—I have,—a thousand of them,—for (pointing to ) here is Lída herself!

Tomeš.—And look at her, Marie, to see if joy is glowing in her cheeks.

Marie.-—t is evident that she is gloomy. I came here, I came (in tears) to find you. I wanted to warn you,—and I find you here with her!

Lída (Forgetting everything else).—He should save himself? they are following us, then?

Marie (Angrily to ).—You do not need to ask!

Lída (With rising enthusiasm).—Then you have doubts about Tomeš, you are not sure that he cares for you then?

Marie (Seizes by the hand).—He belongs to me,—do not come near him! ( embraces, pressing her head to his breast. cries out, drawing away, as she sees  turn pale, and sobs aloud.  takes a step toward .)

Lída.—Tomeš, I cannot thank you now for saving me from a violent death. You love her, (pointing to ) so go, save yourself now; they might come upon you any moment. If they should find me, and I were to tell the truth, it would go ill with you. But Tomeš, I am going to lie,—I will protect you,—if I lose my own life, if they hang me instead upon that scaffold anyhow, why should I live? What have I to lose even though I sacrifice my life? (Slowly walks away toward the castle, absorbed in her thoughts, her eyes fixed upon the ground.)