_Vav._ Oh, loving heart--sweet, gentle sister-heart-- To bid me blight the outset of thy life That I may count the time that’s left to me By days instead of hours! Come back to me-- I have no time to love--the end is near! _Enter MELUSINE, followed by FLORIAN._ _Flor._ Obedient to thy summons I am here. Yet I am very loth to look upon The misery my heedlessness hath caused. _Vav._ (_leaning on MELUSINE, with an effort to appear cheerful_). Sir Florian, my pain is at an end. The blow was heavy: for I am not strong, And jests are new to me. Forgive me, sir. My brain is filled with foolish fantasies That carry me beyond my reasoning self. I pray your pardon. Think no more of me, Save as the subject of a merry tale-- How a mad maiden loved a sun-dial, And very dearly, too! I have some news To give you comfort. Hilda has been here. She is alive and well. _Flor._ Then Heaven be thanked! _Vav._ But stay--you met her as you came? _Mel._ No, no, We saw no sign of her. _Vav._ It’s very strange. She left me but a minute since, and took The path by which you came. Go, seek her, sir; Be very sure she waits you close at hand. Come, Melusine. Farewell, Sir Florian; Deal gently with me when you tell the tale! [_Exit VAVIR, supported by MELUSINE. She shows by her change of expression that the effort to appear cheerful has caused her great suffering._ _Flor._ She took that path--and yet I saw her not! There’s but one clue to this strange mystery: She has the Talisman! By what strange means It found its way into her spotless hands I’ve yet to learn! _MOUSTA has entered during this speech._ _Mous._ Let me assist you, sir, I stole it from your pillow as you slept, And used it for my ends. I took your place Beside the fountain, and I woo’d her there. And there she pledged herself to be my wife-- And, as a token, gave this ring to me! (_Showing ring._) _Flor._ Why, miserable ape, hast thou then lost The mere life-seeking instinct that inspires The very meanest of thy fellow-beasts, That thou hast come to say these things to _me_? _Mous._ I have! I say these things to you, because I want to die! I tried to kill myself-- But I’m no hero, and my courage failed. (_Furiously._) She’s gone from you for ever--and I come To mock the bitter blighting of your life-- To chuckle at the aching misery That eats your heart away! I come to spit My hate upon you--If my toad’s mouth held The venom of a toad, I would spit that! Come--have I said enough? Then draw thy sword And make an end of me--I am prepared!