MILDRED. Require no further! Did I dream That I could palliate what is done? All's true. Now, punish me! A woman takes my hand? Let go my hand! You do not know, I see. I thought that Thorold told you. GUENDOLEN. What is this? Where start you to? MILDRED. Oh, Austin, loosen me! You heard the whole of it--your eyes were worse, In their surprise, than Thorold's! Oh, unless You stay to execute his sentence, loose My hand! Has Thorold gone, and are you here? GUENDOLEN. Here, Mildred, we two friends of yours will wait Your bidding; be you silent, sleep or muse! Only, when you shall want your bidding done, How can we do it if we are not by? Here's Austin waiting patiently your will! One spirit to command, and one to love And to believe in it and do its best, Poor as that is, to help it--why, the world Has been won many a time, its length and breadth, By just such a beginning! MILDRED. I believe If once I threw my arms about your neck And sunk my head upon your breast, that I Should weep again. GUENDOLEN. Let go her hand now, Austin! Wait for me. Pace the gallery and think On the world's seemings and realities, Until I call you. [AUSTIN goes.] MILDRED. No--I cannot weep. No more tears from this brain--no sleep--no tears! O Guendolen, I love you! GUENDOLEN. Yes: and "love" Is a short word that says so very much! It says that you confide in me. MILDRED. Confide! GUENDOLEN. Your lover's name, then! I've so much to learn, Ere I can work in your behalf! MILDRED. My friend, You know I cannot tell his name. GUENDOLEN. At least He is your lover? and you love him too? MILDRED. Ah, do you ask me that,--but I am fallen So low! GUENDOLEN. You love him still, then? MILDRED. My sole prop Against the guilt that crushes me! I say, Each night ere I lie down, "I was so young-- I had no mother, and I loved him so!" And then God seems indulgent, and I dare Trust him my soul in sleep. GUENDOLEN. How could you let us E'en talk to you about Lord Mertoun then? MILDRED. There is a cloud around me. GUENDOLEN. But you said You would receive his suit in spite of this? MILDRED. I say there is a cloud... GUENDOLEN. No cloud to me! Lord Mertoun and your lover are the same! MILDRED. What maddest fancy... GUENDOLEN [calling aloud.] Austin! (spare your pains-- When I have got a truth, that truth I keep)--