Forgotten! forgiven! Never speak of it again, Jane! What do I care for the past? Who could resist your voice, who would do other than I am doing? Yes, I pardon everything, my well-beloved child. The foundation of love is mercy and pardon, Jane; jealousy and despair burned the tears in my eyes, but I pardon you, but I thank you! You are the only truly bright thing in this world; at each word that you speak, I feel grief dies, and joy is born in my soul. Jane, lift your head, stand up straight before me there and look at me! I tell you that you are my child. JANE. Always generous! Gilbert, my well-beloved. GILBERT. I wish I were outside now: in our flight, far away: free, with you! Oh, this night, which will never come! The boat is not there. Jane, we will leave London at once, this night. We will leave England; we will go to Venice. Men of my trade make a great deal of money there. You will belong to me! Oh, my God! I am insane! I have forgotten the name you bear. It is too proud a one, Jane. JANE. What do you mean? GILBERT. Daughter of Lord Talbot. JANE. I know one prouder still. GILBERT. Which? JANE. Wife of the workman Gilbert. GILBERT. Jane! JANE. Oh, no! Don't think I ask so much as that. I know I am unworthy of that. I do not lift my eyes so high. I would never take such an advantage of your pardon. The poor engraver Gilbert shall make no mesalliance with the Countess of Waterford. No, I will follow you, I will love you, I will never leave you; I will lie all day at your feet, all night at your door. I will watch you work, I will help you, I will give you all you need. I will be to you something less than a sister, something more than a dog. And if you ever marry, Gilbert--because God will want you to find somebody, some pure woman, without stain and worthy of you--well, if you marry, and if your wife is good, if she will let me, I will be your wife's servant. If she won't have me, I will go off, far off, to die where I can. That is the only way I shall ever leave you. If you do not marry I will stay with you, always; I will be gentle and patient--oh, you shall see!--and if people think ill of me because I am with you--well, they can think what they please. I have no longer the right to blush, you see--I am only an unfortunate woman! GILBERT (_falling at her feet_). You are an angel! You are my wife! JANE. Your wife? Ah, you are like God--your pardon purifies me. Be blessed, Gilbert, for putting this crown upon my brow. [_Gilbert takes her up and folds her to his heart. While they stand thus in each other's arms, Joshua takes Jane's hand._ JOSHUA. It is Joshua, Lady Jane! JANE. Good Joshua! JOSHUA. You did not know me a little while ago. JANE. No, I had to begin with him. [_Joshua kisses her hand._ GILBERT (_pressing her in his arms_). Ah, what happiness! But is it real, all this happiness? [_For some time a distant noise has been heard; confused voices, a tumult. It grows dark._ JOSHUA.