ELDRED (after a pause) A dismal matter, Sir, for me, And seems the like for you; if 'tis your wish, I'll lead you to his Daughter; but 'twere best That she should be prepared; I'll go before. MARMADUKE There will be need of preparation. [ELDRED goes off.] ELEANOR (enters) Master! Your limbs sink under you, shall I support you? MARMADUKE (taking her arm) Woman, I've lent my body to the service Which now thou tak'st upon thee. God forbid That thou shouldst ever meet a like occasion With such a purpose in thine heart as mine was. ELEANOR Oh, why have I to do with things like these? [Exeunt.] SCENE changes to the door of ELDRED'S cottage--IDONEA seated--enter ELDRED. ELDRED Your Father, Lady, from a wilful hand Has met unkindness; so indeed he told me, And you remember such was my report: From what has just befallen me I have cause To fear the very worst. IDONEA My Father is dead; Why dost thou come to me with words like these? ELDRED A wicked Man should answer for his crimes. IDONEA Thou seest me what I am. ELDRED It was most heinous, And doth call out for vengeance. IDONEA Do not add, I prith'ee, to the harm thou'st done already. ELDRED Hereafter you will thank me for this service. Hard by, a Man I met, who, from plain proofs Of interfering Heaven, I have no doubt, Laid hands upon your Father. Fit it were You should prepare to meet him. IDONEA I have nothing To do with others; help me to my Father-- [She turns and sees MARMADUKE leaning on ELEANOR--throws herself upon his neck, and after some time,] In joy I met thee, but a few hours past; And thus we meet again; one human stay Is left me still in thee. Nay, shake not so. MARMADUKE In such a wilderness--to see no thing, No, not the pitying moon! IDONEA And perish so. MARMADUKE Without a dog to moan for him. IDONEA Think not of it, But enter there and see him how he sleeps, Tranquil as he had died in his own bed. MARMADUKE Tranquil--why not? IDONEA Oh, peace! MARMADUKE He is at peace; His body is at rest: there was a plot, A hideous plot, against the soul of man: It took effect--and yet I baffled it, In _some_ degree.