Page:Victor Hugo's Works (Guernsey Edition) v14.djvu/71

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Pardon, sweet saint, if I profane thy shrine.

I watched Bertuccio forth; he passed me close,

I feared he would have seen me. I have sworn

Not to betray their foul design to him.

And to warn her, this means alone is left me.

Hark! 't is her gracious step, she comes this way. [Enter ; she kneels before the statue of the Madonna.

Comfort of the afflicted, comfort him!

Turn his revengeful purpose to submission,

And grant that I may grow to take the place

My mother has left empty in his heart!

He's gone! And I had not the heart to speak

Of the young gentleman who follows me.

He asked if any spoke to me; I told

The truth,—he never spoke to me.

[In great terror.] Who's there?

Brigitta! help!

Silence! but have no fear.

I am not here to harm you, do not tremble.

I would die, lady, rather than offend you.

Oh, sir, how came you here?

I knew no other way

But by the balcony. Desperate occasions

Dispense with ceremony. My respect

Is absolute. Fear not: I am not here