Page:Violet - a vaudeville in four scenes (IA violetvaudeville00yapa).pdf/18

 Do you mean that you fear personal violence?

Not for myself—no! no! but for you. Wretched man that he is. He has at last driven me to realize that I am not only unhappy, that I do not care for him, but that I do

Violet, what has happened? Why these tears? Why are you so troubled—you who have borne your burden until now so proudly—so cheerfully? Great God! what a mockery is this life! Oh! I have watched your increasing despondency. While all the world has said what a brave front she bears, I have seen the clouds darkening about you and wondered only that no lightning flash e’er came—and has it come? Tell me, Violet! You are silent. But your sobs tell me all. You—tied to a man who does not know you, and whom you cannot but despise,—and I—kneeling here—powerless—though Heaven knows how willing, how glad to lay down my life for your slightest wish! Think, Violet, of the years of my devotion. Oh, would you but believe it! Would you but let me be to you everything in the world! Would you but say “I love you!”

Sidney, Sidney! Say no more. You know not what you do!

I must speak, Violet! Every throb of my heart beats for you! Every nerve in my body vibrates to your voice and touch! Every thought, every instinct, knows only you, its queen! Let me stay here! Let me tell you all my love for you, and live for you alone: Come to me, darling!