Lara. O sweet angel! Prec. Ay, in truth, Far better than you love yourself or me. Lara. Give me some sign of this,--the slightest token. Let me but kiss your hand! Prec. Nay, come no nearer. The words I utter are its sign and token. Misunderstand me not! Be not deceived! The love wherewith I love you is not such As you would offer me. For you come here To take from me the only thing I have, My honor. You are wealthy, you have friends And kindred, and a thousand pleasant hopes That fill your heart with happiness; but I Am poor, and friendless, having but one treasure, And you would take that from me, and for what? To flatter your own vanity, and make me What you would most despise. O sir, such love, That seeks to harm me, cannot be true love. Indeed it cannot. But my love for you Is of a different kind. It seeks your good. It is a holier feeling. It rebukes Your earthly passion, your unchaste desires, And bids you look into your heart, and see How you do wrong that better nature in you, And grieve your soul with sin. Lara. I swear to you, I would not harm you; I would only love you. I would not take your honor, but restore it, And in return I ask but some slight mark Of your affection. If indeed you love me, As you confess you do, O let me thus With this embrace-- Vict. (rushing forward). Hold! hold! This is too much. What means this outrage? Lara. First, what right have you To question thus a nobleman of Spain? Vict. I too am noble, and you are no more! Out of my sight! Lara. Are you the master here? Vict. Ay, here and elsewhere, when the wrong of others Gives me the right! Prec. (to LARA). Go! I beseech you, go! Vict. I shall have business with you, Count, anon! Lara. You cannot come too soon! [Exit. Prec. Victorian! O, we have been betrayed! Vict. Ha! ha! betrayed! 'T is I have been betrayed, not we!--not we! Prec. Dost thou imagine-- Vict. I imagine nothing; I see how 't is thou whilest the time away When I am gone! Prec. O speak not in that tone! It wounds me deeply. Vict. 'T was not meant to flatter. Prec. Too well thou knowest the presence of that man Is hateful to me! Vict. Yet I saw thee stand And listen to him, when he told his love. Prec. I did not heed his words. Vict. Indeed thou didst, And answeredst them with love. Prec. Hadst thou heard all-- Vict. I heard enough. Prec. Be not so angry with me. Vict. I am not angry; I am very calm. Prec. If thou wilt let me speak-- Vict. Nay, say no more. I know too much already. Thou art false! I do not like these Gypsy marriages! Where is the ring I gave thee? Prec. In my casket. Vict. There let it rest! I would not have thee wear it: I thought thee spotless, and thou art polluted! Prec. I call the Heavens to witness--