That seals thy brother's doom! What Prince of Argos...? ELECTRA. Not the man to whom My father thought to give me. ORESTES. Speak; that I May tell thy brother all. ELECTRA. 'Tis there, hard by, His dwelling, where I live, far from men's eyes. ORESTES. Some ditcher's cot, or cowherd's, by its guise! ELECTRA (_struck with shame for her ingratitude_). A poor man; but true-hearted, and to me God-fearing. ORESTES. How? What fear of God hath he? ELECTRA. He hath never held my body to his own. ORESTES. Hath he some vow to keep? Or is it done To scorn thee? ELECTRA. Nay; he only scorns to sin Against my father's greatness. ORESTES. But to win A princess! Doth his heart not leap for pride? ELECTRA. He honoureth not the hand that gave the bride. ORESTES. I see. He trembles for Orestes' wrath? ELECTRA. Aye, that would move him. But beside, he hath A gentle heart. ORESTES. Strange! A good man.... I swear He well shall be requited. ELECTRA. Whensoe'er Our wanderer comes again! ORESTES. Thy mother stays Unmoved 'mid all thy wrong? ELECTRA. A lover weighs More than a child in any woman's heart. ORESTES. But what end seeks Aegisthus, by such art Of shame? ELECTRA. To make mine unborn children low And weak, even as my husband. ORESTES. Lest there grow From thee the avenger? ELECTRA. Such his purpose is: For which may I requite him! ORESTES. And of this Thy virgin life--Aegisthus knows it? ELECTRA. Nay, We speak it not. It cometh not his way. ORESTES. These women hear us. Are they friends to thee? ELECTRA. Aye, friends and true. They will keep faithfully All words of mine and thine. ORESTES (_trying her_). Thou art well stayed With friends. And could Orestes give thee aid In aught, if e'er... ELECTRA. Shame on thee! Seest thou not? Is it not time? ORESTES (_catching her excitement_). How time? And if he sought To slay, how should he come at his desire? ELECTRA. By daring, as they dared who slew his sire! ORESTES. Wouldst thou dare with him, if he came, thou too, To slay her? ELECTRA. Yes; with the same axe that slew My father! ORESTES. 'Tis thy message? And thy mood Unchanging? ELECTRA. Let me shed my mother's blood, And I die happy. ORESTES. God!... I would that now Orestes heard thee here. ELECTRA. Yet, wottest thou, Though here I saw him, I should know him not. ORESTES. Surely. Ye both were children, when they wrought Your parting. ELECTRA.