MARMADUKE Idonea, That I should ever live to see this moment! IDONEA Forgive me.--Oswald knows it all--he knows, Each word of that unhappy letter fell As a blood drop from my heart. OSWALD 'Twas even so. MARMADUKE I have much to say, but for whose ear?--not thine. IDONEA Ill can I bear that look--Plead for me, Oswald! You are my Father's Friend. (To MARMADUKE.) Alas, you know not, And never _can_ you know, how much he loved me. Twice had he been to me a father, twice Had given me breath, and was I not to be His daughter, once his daughter? could I withstand His pleading face, and feel his clasping arms, And hear his prayer that I would not forsake him In his old age-- [Hides her face.] MARMADUKE Patience--Heaven grant me patience!-- She weeps, she weeps--_my_ brain shall burn for hours Ere _I_ can shed a tear. IDONEA I was a woman; And, balancing the hopes that are the dearest To womankind with duty to my Father, I yielded up those precious hopes, which nought On earth could else have wrested from me;--if erring, Oh let me be forgiven! MARMADUKE I _do_ forgive thee. IDONEA But take me to your arms--this breast, alas! It throbs, and you have a heart that does not feel it. MARMADUKE (exultingly) She is innocent. [He embraces her.] OSWALD (aside) Were I a Moralist, I should make wondrous revolution here; It were a quaint experiment to show The beauty of truth-- [Addressing them.] I see I interrupt you; I shall have business with you, Marmaduke; Follow me to the Hostel. [Exit OSWALD.] IDONEA Marmaduke, This is a happy day. My Father soon Shall sun himself before his native doors; The lame, the hungry, will be welcome there. No more shall he complain of wasted strength, Of thoughts that fail, and a decaying heart; His good works will be balm and life to him. MARMADUKE This is most strange!--I know not what it was, But there was something which most plainly said, That thou wert innocent. IDONEA How innocent!-- Oh heavens! you've been deceived. MARMADUKE Thou art a Woman To bring perdition on the universe.