Page:Victor Hugo's Works (Guernsey Edition) v14.djvu/67

Rh The time may come when we may live in peace,

And walk together free, under free heaven

But that cannot be here—nor now!

Oh, when—

When shall that time arrive?

When what I live for

Has been achieved!

What you live for?

Revenge!

Oh, do not look so, father!

Listen, girl,

You asked me of your mother; it is time

You should know why all questioning of her

Racks me to madness. Look upon me, child;

Misshapen as I am, there once was one,

Who, seeing me despised, mocked, lonely, poor,

Loved me, I think, most for my misery;

Thy mother, like thee, just so pure, so sweet.

I was a public notary in Cesena;

Our life was humble, but so happy; thou

Wert in thy cradle then, and many a night

Thy mother and I sat hand-in-hand together,

Watching thine innocent smiles, and building up

Long plans of joy to come! [His voice falters; he turns away.