Do not weep.... I know too that one does not do what one would do ... nor was I ignorant that you would come.... There must indeed be laws mightier than those of our souls, of which we always speak.... [_Kissing him abruptly_].--But I love thee the more, my poor Palomides. PALOMIDES. I love thee, too ... more than her I love.... Thou weepest, as I do? ASTOLAINE. They are little tears.... Do not be sad for them.... I weep so, because I am woman, but they say our tears are not painful.... You see I can dry them already.... I knew well what it was.... I waited for the wakening.... It has come, and I can breathe with less disquietude, being no longer happy.... There!... We must see clearly now for you and her. For I believe my father already has suspicions. [_Exeunt_. ACT THIRD. SCENE I.--_A room in the palace_. ABLAMORE _discovered_. ASTOLAINE _stands on the step of a half-open door at the back of the hall_. ASTOLAINE. Father, I have come because a voice that I no longer can resist, commands me to. I told you all that happened in my soul when I met Palomides. He was not like other men.... To-day I come to ask your help ... for I do not know what should be said to him.... I have become aware I cannot love him.... He has remained the same, and I alone have changed, or have not understood.... And since it is impossible for me to love, as I have dreamed of love, him I had chosen among all, it must be that my heart is shut to these things.... I know it to-day.... I shall look no more toward love; and you will see me living on about you without sadness and without unrest.... I feel that I am going to be happy.... ABLAMORE. Come hither, Astolaine. It is not so that you were wont to speak in the old days to your father. You wait there, on the threshold of a door hardly ajar, as if you were ready to flee; and with your hand upon the key, as if you would close from me forever the secret of your heart. You know quite well I have not understood what you have just said, and that words have no sense when souls are not within reach of each other. Draw nearer still, and speak no more to me, [ASTOLAINE _approaches slowly_.] There is a moment when souls touch each other, and know all without need that one should move the lips. Draw nearer.... They do not reach each other yet, and their radiance is so slight about us!... [ASTOLAINE _stops_.] Thou darest not?--Thou knowest too how far one can go?--It is I who must.... [_He approaches Astolaine with slow step, then stops and looks long at her_.] I see thee, Astolaine.... ASTOLAINE. Father!... [_She sobs as she kisses the old man_.] ABLAMORE. You see well it was useless.... SCENE II.--_A chamber in the palace_. _Enter_ ALLADINE _and_ PALOMIDES. PALOMIDES.