Page:The great Galeoto; Folly or saintliness; two plays done from the verse of José Echegaray into English prose by Hannah Lynch (IA greatgaleotofoll00echerich).djvu/70

. You may count upon it, Mercedes. But come to the end of the matter now.

. Up to to-day, Teodora, I shrank from this step, but Severo urges me. 'It can't go on,' he insists. 'My brother's honour and my own self-esteem forbid me to witness that which fills me with shame and sorrow. On all sides am I assailed with innuendoes, with the smiles, the covert glances and the reproaches of my friends. There must be an end to this low gossip about us.'

. Continue, pray.

. Then heed me. [They exchange a prolonged gaze.]

. Tell me, what is the gossip?

. The murmuring of the river tells us that its waters are swollen.

. I understand nothing of your river and its swollen waters, but do not drive me wild.

. [Aside.] Poor child! My heart grieves for her. [Aloud.] So you do not understand me?

. I? not in the least.

. [Aside.] How stupid she is! [Aloud, energetically.] You make a laughing-stock of him.

. Of whom?

. Why, of your husband, of course.

. [Impetuously, rising.] Julian! what a falsehood! What wretch could say so? Julian would strike him!

. [Endeavouring to soothe her and make her sit down.] He would need a good many hands, then; for, if report speak truly, he would have to strike the entire town. 30