_Lydia_. Hear me and keep it, if thou art a man! I love thee--for thy benefit would give The labour of that hand!--wear out my feet! Rack the invention of my mind!--the powers Of my heart in one volition gather up! My life expend, and think no more I gave Than he who wins a priceless gem for thanks! For such goodwill canst thou return me wrong? _Wal_. Yet, for awhile, I cannot let thee go. Propound for me an oath that I'll not wrong thee! An oath, which, if I break it, will entail Forfeit of earth and heaven. I'll take it--so Thou stay'st one hour with me. _Lydia_. No!--Not one moment! Unhand me, or I shriek!--I know the summons Will pierce into the street, and set me free! I stand in peril while I'm near thee! She Who knows her danger, and delays escape, Hath but herself to thank, whate'er befalls! Sir, I may have a woman's weakness, but I have a woman's resolution, too, And that's a woman's strength! One moment more!-- _Wal_. Lo! Thou art free to go! [Rises and throws himself distractedly into a chair.] [LYDIA approaches the door--her pace slackens--she pauses with her hand upon the lock--turns, and looks earnestly on WALLER.] _Lydia_. I have a word To say to thee; if by thy mother's honour, Thou swear'st to me thou wilt not quit thy seat. _Wal_. I swear as thou propound'st to me. _Lydia_. [After a pause, bursting into tears.] Oh, why-- Why have you used me thus? See what you've done! Essayed to light a guilty passion up, And kindled in its stead a holy one! For I do love thee! Know'st thou not the wish To find desert doth bring it oft to sight Where yet it is not? so, for substance, passes What only is a phantasm of our minds! I feared thy love was guilty--yet my wish To find it honest, stronger than my fear, My fear with fatal triumph overthrew! Now hope and fear give up to certainty, And I must fly thee--yet must love thee still! _Wal_. Lydia! by all-- _Lydia_. I pray you hear me out! Was 't right? was 't generous? was 't pitiful? One way or other I might be undone: To love with sin--or love without a hope! _Wal_. Yet hear me, Lydia!-- _Lydia_. Stop! I'm undone! A maid without a heart--robbed of the soil, Wherein life's hopes and wishes root and spring, And thou the foe that did me so much hate, And vowed me so much love!--but I forgive thee! Yea, I do bless thee! [Rushing up and sinking at his feet.] Recollect thy oath!-- Or in thy heart lodged never germ of honour, But 'tis a desert all! [She kisses his hand--presses it to her heart, and kisses it again.] Farewell then to thee! [Rises.] Mayst thou be happy. [Going.] _Wal_. Wouldst ensure the thing Thou wishest? [She moves towards the door with a gesture that prohibits further converse.] Stop! [She continues to move on.] Oh, sternly resolute! [She still moves.] I mean thee honour! [She stops and turns towards him.]