 | Faith's Fraud |  |
SCENE III.
Anti-room to the Chamber of the Baroness.Ellen and Ursula.
URSULA.
Barbara is stirring; so is Screitch—but he
Is swift beyond my speed: his wisdom soars
Past hope of following.
ELLEN.
Were they swords we heard?
URSULA.
Have they disturbed my lady?
ELLEN.
No—not much:
She stirred, but sleeps again. I pray thee, Ursula,
Whence came those cries?
URSULA.
A drunken battle fought
By two main friends when sober.
ELLEN.
Drunk to-night?
URSULA.
Ay, Rudestein every night: Count Albert's brains
Are not so thin as his by half.
ELLEN.
The Count?
URSULA.
Trust me thus far—that face of thine has lost
More blood than both the combatants. Cheer up!
'Twas pale enough before. Alas, poor bird!
I fright thee, flutterer! These have done no harm.
Speak now, what ails thee?
ELLEN.
Was my father there?
URSULA.
He was, they say; but all are now dispersed.
My lady stirred, but did not wake? Such sleep,
A month ago, had saved her!
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Quarrel to-night!
URSULA.
Behold their reverence for the house of death!
ELLEN.
My mother's face is darker than it was?
URSULA.
It is the lamp which changes. Let me watch.
ELLEN.
I cannot sleep again.
URSULA.
Hast slept at all?
ELLEN.
Till these tongues woke me—like a careless nurse,
I slept and dreamed.
URSULA.
What didst thou dream about?
ELLEN.
Of what my mother told me—of my brothers.
Hast ever thought on death as near thee, Ursula?
I never did till now.
URSULA.
He is not near thee.
ELLEN.
But should we fear believing that he is?
URSULA.
A footstep!—hark, child!
(Enter Weilenberg.)
WEILENBERG.
Does thy mistress sleep?
URSULA.
She has slept well till now, my lord.
ELLEN.
Look in.
[Exit Ursula.
WEILENBERG.
I woke her, then?
ELLEN.
She stirred awhile ago.
WEILENBERG.
Is she in bed?
ELLEN.
She will not rest in bed.
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Such changes give her ease.
URSULA
re-enters.
She is awake,
And asks to see your lordship.
[Exit Weilenberg.
ELLEN.
He looks faint.
Would God my mother's peace might reach to him!
URSULA.
Men want humility, so suffer more.
The pride which wars with nature may prevail;
But she, though conquered, will not lack revenge.
His daughter hath a share of it.
ELLEN.
Of pride?—
The saints forbid!
URSULA.
Some tears would do her good.
Would she not rather that their hindrance choked her,
Than spend them on this Count?
ELLEN.
Ay, would she, Ursula.
If every drop retained were fire, she would.
Tears for a mother dying—and for him!
Cruel to mock me now!
(Enter Barbara.)
URSULA.
Barbara, awake!
BARBARA.
Tears!—is my lady dead?
URSULA.
Tread carefully.
BARBARA.
There is no rest to-night: I must not sleep:
This Count pursues me round the house with prayers.
I dare not go to bed, lest he should follow!
He kneels before me—highness as he is!
URSULA.
Is he not soberer yet?
BARBARA.
Who?
URSULA.
What dost seek?
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Count Albert soberer?—has he been otherwise?
URSULA.
Prithee, begone—what is the Count to us?
BARBARA.
My lord is angry, and, I hear, unjust.
ELLEN.
Go somewhere else! I shall think worse of both.
BARBARA.
He fears so—this it is which makes him mad!
The strife was not his seeking—so he says—
He swears it—yet my lord will chase him forth.
URSULA.
Bethink thee who may hear thee!
BARBARA.
Who?
URSULA.
My lord.
BARBARA.
He is not here?
URSULA.
He is.
BARBARA.
Then mercy, Ursula!
This crazy Count will follow me, if we stay!
URSULA.
He will not dare! He must be crazed, indeed!
ELLEN.
You fright me, Barbara! He will not come here?
BARBARA.
His summons was to quit at break of day;
And he will see you first—if nowhere else,
Why here he will.
URSULA.
He dares not!
BARBARA.
Heaven forbid
That while their tempers are so fell and spiteful,
My lord may find him here. What here!—good saints,
We shall have swords again!
ELLEN.
Barbara, where is he?
Make haste to find him!—Ursula, come with me.
[Exeunt.
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