_Elw._ Then stay, barbarian, and at once destroy My life and fame. _Per._ That thought is death. I go: My honour to thy dearer honour yields. _Elw._ Yet, yet thou art not gone! _Per._ Farewell, farewell! [_exit Percy._ _Elw._ I dare not meet the searching eye of Douglas. I must conceal my terrors. _Douglas at the side with his sword drawn, Edric holds him._ _Dou._ Give me way. _Edr._ Thou shalt not enter. _Dou._ [_struggling with Edric_] If there were no hell, It would defraud my vengeance of its edge, And she should live. [_breaks from Edric and comes forward._ Cursed chance! he is not here. _Elw._ [_going._] I dare not meet his fury. _Dou._ See she flies With every mark of guilt.--Go, search the bower, [_aside to Edric._ He shall not thus escape. Madam, return. [_aloud._ Now, honest Douglas, learn of her to feign. [_aside._ Alone, Elwina? who just parted hence? [_with affected composure._ _Elw._ My lord, 'twas Harcourt; sure you must have met him. _Dou._ O exquisite dissembler! [_aside._] No one else! _Elw._ My lord! _Dou._ How I enjoy her criminal confusion! [_aside._ You tremble, madam. _Elw._ Wherefore should I tremble? By your permission Harcourt was admitted; 'Twas no mysterious, secret introduction. _Dou._ And yet you seem alarm'd.--If Harcourt's presence Thus agitates each nerve, makes every pulse Thus wildly throb, and the warm tides of blood Mount in quick rushing tumults to your cheek; If friendship can excite such strong emotions, What tremors had a lover's presence caus'd? _Elw._ Ungenerous man! _Dou._ I feast upon her terrors. [_aside._ The story of his death was well contriv'd; [_to her._ But it affects not me; I have a wife, Compar'd with whom cold Dian was unchaste. [_takes her hand._ But mark me well--though it concerns not you-- If there's a sin more deeply black than others, Distinguish'd from the list of common crimes, A legion in itself, and doubly dear To the dark prince of hell, it is--hypocrisy. [_throws her from him, and exit._ _Elw._ Yes, I will bear his fearful indignation! Thou melting heart, be firm as adamant; Ye shatter'd nerves, be strung with manly force, That I may conquer all my sex's weakness, Nor let this bleeding bosom lodge one thought, Cherish one wish, or harbour one desire, That angels may not hear and Douglas know. [_exit._ ACT THE FOURTH. SCENE I. THE HALL. _Enter Douglas, his sword drawn and bloody in one hand, in the other a letter. Harcourt, wounded._ _Dou._ Traitor, no more! this letter shews thy office; Twice hast thou robb'd me of my dear revenge. I took thee for thy leader.--Thy base blood Would stain the noble temper of my sword; But as the pander to thy master's lust, Thou justly fall'st by a wrong'd husband's hand. _Har._ Thy wife is innocent. _Dou._ Take him away.