you remember how she came with me, my Lady, followed me like a beggar and passed two nights out in the open, in the snow? You are her mother! Doesn't this touch your mother's heart? Doesn't this urge you to pity, so that you will beg His Holiness for pardon, beg him to receive us? DONNA MATILDA (_trembling, with feeble voice_). Yes, yes, at once.... DOCTOR. It shall be done! HENRY IV. And one thing more! (_Draws them in to listen to him_). It isn't enough that he should receive me! You know he can do _everything_--_everything_ I tell you! He can even call up the dead. (_Touches his chest_): Behold me! Do you see me? There is no magic art unknown to him. Well, Monsignor, my Lady, my torment is really this: that whether here or there (_pointing to his portrait almost in fear_) I can't free myself from this magic. I am a penitent now, you see; and I swear to you I shall remain so until he receives me. But you two, when the excommunication is taken off, must ask the Pope to do this thing he can so easily do: to take me away from that (_indicating the portrait again_); and let me live wholly and freely my miserable life. A man can't always be twenty-six, my Lady. I ask this of you for your daughter's sake too; that I may love her as she deserves to be loved, well disposed as I am now, all tender towards her for her pity. There: it's all there! I am in your hands! (_Bows_). My Lady! Monsignor! (_He goes off, bowing grandly, through the door by which he entered, leaving everyone stupefied, and the Marchioness so profoundly touched, that no sooner has he gone than she breaks out into sobs and sits down almost fainting_). ACT II (_Another room of the villa, adjoining the throne room. Its furniture is antique and severe. Principal exit at rear in the background. To the left, two windows looking on the garden. To the right, a door opening into the throne room._ _Late afternoon of the same day._ _Donna Matilda, the doctor and Belcredi are on the stage engaged in conversation; but Donna Matilda stands to one side, evidently annoyed at what the other two are saying; although she cannot help listening, because, in her agitated state, everything interests her in spite of herself. The talk of the other two attracts her attention, because she instinctively feels the need for calm at the moment_). BELCREDI. It may be as you say, doctor, but that was my impression. DOCTOR. I won't contradict you; but, believe me, it is only ... an impression. BELCREDI. Pardon me, but he even said so, and quite clearly (_turning to the Marchioness_). Didn't he, Marchioness? DONNA MATILDA (_turning round_). What did he say?... (_Then not agreeing_). Oh yes ... but not for the reason you think!