University of Virginia Library

SCENE I.

Ante-room in Lorn Castle, opening upon terrace as in Act III. Moonlight.
Enter Isabel and Roland.
Isa.
How shall I thank thee—how repay this debt?

Rol.
With one of your kind smiles.

Isa.
And Janet's love;
Is it not so? Though generous hearts like thine
Find in themselves reward. Yet, if Heaven help me,
Thy lot shall match thy worth. Now to my sister,
And bid her join me.

Rol.
Straight. [Going.]
Stay, I'd forgot.
In our discourse this letter.

[Gives it.
Isa.
Ah, for me?

Rol.
One, whom I think his peasant's garb disguised,
Gave it me at the gate. His suit was urgent
That it should reach you.

Isa.
[Aside, opening letter.]
From my husband!
'Tis precious news, my Henry comes. Speed, speed!

Rol.
Madam, your sister!

[Roland goes out.
Enter Katharine.
Isa.
Well, your face tells all.
You sued to Strathmore, and in vain!

Kath.
He swooned
In anguish at my feet—his frame a reed,
But, oh! his honour—rock!

Isa.
His honour, girl!

Kath.
'Tis not for minds like ours to judge of Strathmore.

Isa.
You love him!

Kath.
Peace, I say! You speak to one
Frenzied by grief!

Isa.
There may be hope.

Kath.
Hope!

Isa.
Ay!
Strathmore's dependants form Sir Rupert's guard—
Men whom your father did of old befriend.
I've seen them, thanks to Roland, moved their hearts
By memories of past kindness. Let but Henry
Appear before the walls, my life on't, these
Go over to his banner!

Kath.
O my brother!
If he could guess our strait!

Isa.
He does, and waits
But to collect his force;—here's tidings from him.
See, by the date, with those in his command,
He should be here already!

Kath.
If he fail!
Ah me! an inner voice knells in my heart.
My brother vanquished—where's my father's life?
Victorious—where is Strathmore's? Not a wind
But drives me on the rock:

Isa.
Your gloom infects me. Forth upon the terrace;
There watch you; 'tis a balmy night. Nay, sweet,
I'll have it so, for I must plan alone.
[She leads Katharine to the terrace, and returns.
To gain delay. How best to compass that?
Who comes? Brycefield, the caitiff who would trade
With a wrung heart! Must I dissemble yet?

Enter Brycefield.
Bryce.
Rebuke me not, fair sorceress, with a frown,
That I o'erstaid my time.

Isa.
Sir, I most freely
Forgive your absence.

Bryce.
[Approaching her.]
Scorner! I must woo
Those lips to seal my bliss, must hear them pledge
The prize my own for which I venture life—
Your hand, your love!

Isa.
But love, sir, has its duties,
And these ask time to learn.

Bryce.
No need of time
To teach thee how to love.

Isa.
Oh, it needs much
To love you after your desert! So brave,
So stamped with honour are you, modesty,
Summing your riches, is abashed to claim them.

Bryce.
What! do you trifle, lady—do you mock
My flag of amity? Then I hoist war's!
If that fond siege be war which would subdue
Only to cherish thee. I know your wiles—
That you have practised on my guard! A word
Of that—suspicion roused—your father's fate
Waits not for dawn: he dies this hour!

Isa.
O heartless—

Bryce.
Madam, the game at chess grows critical.
I move again.

Isa.
[Aside.]
On what a brink I stand!
[She moves to terrace and returns.
Fly, Henry, fly! [With feigned gaiety.]
So you play boldly, sir.

Bryce.
You dally with me, while each moment lost
Doubles our risk. I have provided all
For instant flight. Be thou but kind, the bolt
Falls from Sir Rupert's dungeon! In his name
I seize that beauteous hand!

Isa.
[Turning to the terrace.]
How looks the night?

Bryce.
Sweet, 'tis a night for love!

Isa.
The moon doth wear
Her full-orbed crown, and through a special court
Of stars, moves queenlike.

[Intently gazing from the terrace.
Bryce.
Turn thee to the earth,
Thy glance makes brighter! gaze not at the stars!

Isa.
Of old, men read their fate there. I seek mine.

Bryce.
What dost thou ask them?

Isa.
If it be my lot
To find a husband.

Bryce.
And with one accord
They answer—

Isa.
Hush! [Aside.]
Methought I heard a sound.
[A pause.
'Tis but the far sea flowing.

Bryce.
Are the skies
Dumb, or thou blind? Thou canst not read their speech!

Isa.
Canst thou?

Bryce.
Plainly; why, look! love's radiant star—
Bright Venus—laughs reply; and all the spheres
Around her echo—Thou shalt find a husband!
Say they not so?

Isa.
[With sudden transport.]
They do—they do!

Bryce.
[Sinking on his knee.]
Behold him!

Isa.
Up, up, and give him welcome! See, he comes
First in a tide of plumes! a thousand swords
Flash in his wake! He will requite your love,
Doubt not!

Katharine rushes in.
Kath.
'Tis Henry—my brother!

[Martial music heard in the distance.
Bryce.
How!

Isa.
My husband!

Bryce.
Husband!

Isa.
Summoned by you. That letter to the chaplain,
By you despatched, contained another scroll!
'Twas superscribed, “To Henry Lorn; ride, ride
For life!”—he's here. I won on you to change
Sir Rupert's guard, and you unwittingly
Placed friends for gaolers. The game's won—checkmate!

Bryce.
I like thy spirit, wench! but I have yet
A pawn to move perchance may queen the board;
The game's not over. Tremble if I win.

[Rushes out by the terrace.
Kath.
He may devise some evil to my father!

Isa.
Well thought of, girl! Let's seek out honest Roland.
Fear not! the guard are ours.

Kath.
Quick, to Sir Rupert!

[They go out.