Don Lorenzo _enters and stands listening to_ Inez Don Lorenzo [_aside_]--"Die," she said! _Edward_--You to die! No, Inez, not that; do not say that. _Inez_--And why not? If I do not die of grief--if happiness could ever visit me again--I should die of remorse. _Lorenzo_ [_aside_]--"Of remorse!" She! "If happiness could ever visit her again!" What new fatality floats in the air and hangs threateningly above my head? Remorse! I have surprised another word in passing! I traverse rooms and halls, and I go from one place to another, urged by intolerable anguish, and I hear words that I do not understand, and I meet glances that I do not understand, and tears greet me here and smiles there, and no one opposes me, and every one avoids me or watches me. [_Aloud._] What is this? What is this? _Inez_ [_hurrying to him and throwing herself into his arms_]--Father! _Lorenzo_--Inez! How pale you are! Why are your lips drawn as if with pain? Why do you feign smiles that end in sighs!--How lovely in her sorrow! And I am to blame for all! _Inez_--No, father. _Lorenzo_--How cruel I am! Ah! you think it, although you do not say it. _Edward_--Inez is an angel. Rebellious thoughts can find no place in her heart; but who that sees her can fail to think it and to say it? _Lorenzo_--No one; you are right. _Edward_ [_with energy_]--If I am right, then you are wrong. _Lorenzo_--I am right also. There is something more pallid than the pallid brow of a lovesick maiden; there is something sadder than the sad tears that fall from her beautiful eyes; something more bitter than the smile that contracts her lips; something more tragic than the death of her beloved. _Edward_ [_with scornful vehemence_]--And what is that pallor, what are those tears, and what the tragedies you speak of? _Lorenzo_--Insensate! [_Seizing him by the arm._] The pallor of crime, the tears of remorse, the consciousness of our own vileness. _Edward_--And it would be vile, and criminal, and a source of remorse, to make Inez happy? _Lorenzo_ [_despairingly_]--It ought not to be so--but it would! [_Pause._] And this it is that tortures me. This is the thought that is driving me mad! _Inez_--No, father, do not say that! Follow the path you have marked out for yourself, without thought of me. What does it matter whether I live or die? _Lorenzo_--Inez! _Inez_--But do not vacillate--and above all, let no one see that you vacillate; let your speech be clear and convincing as it is now; let not anger blind you. Be calm, be calm, father; I implore it of you in the name of God. _Lorenzo_--What do you mean by those words? I do not understand you. _Inez_--Do I rightly know myself what I mean? There--I am going. I do not wish to pain you. _Edward_ [_to Lorenzo_]--Ah, if you would but listen to your heart; if you would but silence the cavilings of your conscience. _Inez_ [_to Edward_]--Leave him in peace--come with me; do not anger him, or you will make him hate you.