_Hil._ I wept no more. Tears are the balm of sorrow--not of woe. I fled my home-- A gentle sister whose poor little life Lives on the love I bear it, fled with me; So, hand in hand, we wandered through the world Till, in this haven of pure peace and rest, We found safe sanctuary from our woe. _Flor._ (_aloud_). Who would not die to be so mourned by thee? [_HILDA expresses alarm and intense surprise._ Fear nothing. I who speak am but a voice-- The murmur of the waters, shaped to words By the all-potent alchemy of Love! _Hil._ Oh, foolish maid--this is some madcap dream! _Flor._ No dream indeed--or if it be, dream on! _Hil._ Canst thou then hear the words I speak to thee? _Flor._ Ay, that I can--and every word I hear Adds fuel to my love! _Hil._ Oh, wonderful! Hast thou the power to love? _Flor._ Indeed I have! _Hil._ And is thy love akin to mine? _Flor._ It is So near akin that, as it comes of thine, And lives on thine, so, without thine, it dies! _Hil._ If my poor love Hath called thine into life--so is my love In duty bound to thine--its kith and kin! _Flor._ But if the rumours of thy Florian’s death Should prove, as rumours often prove, untrue? If he should be alive--loving thee well-- Eager to tell his love to thee--what then? _Hil._ (_sadly_). Thou jealous fount, what untold miracle Would bear the tidings to this lonely isle? _Flor._ Say that in wandering through the unknown world Chance led Prince Florian to these shores, and he, Flushed with the radiance of thy loveliness, Stood manifest before thine eyes--what then? _Hil._ Oh, Heaven, what then! Joy kills as sorrow kills. I dare not think what then! Let it suffice That I have given thee all--that I am thine For ever and for aye! _Enter MOUSTA unperceived; he places himself so that the dial conceals him from Florian and Hilda._ _Flor._ “Ever and aye” Are fragile flowers that fade before the breath Of an old love long lost! _Hil._ Oh, gentle voice, Born of the falling water--have no fear-- In Heaven’s sight I pledge myself to thee-- What love is in me, that I give to thee-- What love thou hast to give, I take from thee-- Kiss thou my hands--(_holding her hands for the water to fall on_)--henceforth we twain are one! ACT II. SCENE, _same as Act I. Time, Sunrise._ _Enter MOUSTA, cautiously._