LADY MILFORD (starting up). 'Tis not to be borne! Well, then, since I cannot escape you, I know him--know everything--know more than I wish to know! (Suddenly restraining herself, then continuing with a violence which by degrees increases to frenzy.) But dare, unhappy one!--dare but still to love, or be beloved by him! What did I say? Dare but to think of him, or to be one of his thoughts! I am powerful, unhappy one!-- dreadful in my vengeance! As sure as there is a God in heaven thou art lost forever! LOUISA (undaunted). Past all redemption, my lady, the moment you succeed in compelling him to love you! LADY MILFORD. I understand you--but I care not for his love! I will conquer this disgraceful passion. I will torture my own heart; but thine will I crush to atoms! Rocks and chasms will I hurl between you. I will rush, like a fury, into the heaven of your joys. My name shall affright your loves as a spectre scares an assassin. That young and blooming form in his embrace shall wither to a skeleton. I cannot be blest with him-- neither shalt thou. Know, wretched girl; that to blast the happiness of others is in itself a happiness! LOUISA. A happiness, my lady, which is already beyond your reach! Seek not to deceive your own heart! You are incapable of executing what you threaten! You are incapable of torturing a being who has done you no wrong--but whose misfortune it is that her feelings have been sensible to impressions like your own. But I love you for these transports, my lady! LADY MILFORD (recovering herself). Where am I? What have I done? What sentiments have I betrayed? To whom have I betrayed them? Oh, Louisa, noble, great, divine soul, forgive the ravings of a maniac! Fear not, my child! I will not injure a hair of thy head! Name thy wishes! Ask what thou wilt! I will serve thee with all my power; I will be thy friend-- thy sister! Thou art poor; look (taking off her brilliants), I will sell these jewels--sell my wardrobe--my carriages and horses--all shall be thine--grant me but Ferdinand!