University of Virginia Library

SCENE II.

—MRS. DELMAR'S APARTMENT AS IN ACT I. AN APPEARANCE OF GREATER COMFORT AND PROSPERITY IS VISIBLE IN THE APARTMENT.
Walter, Mrs. Delmar and Florence.
MRS. DELMAR.

But child, you would make us so happy! At any
time this union should have delighted us. Now it
promises deliverance. What ribald tongue shall assail
thee when Walter's wife? You crush this calumny
when you wed him.

FLORENCE.

No, Mother! I divide it with him. I will never
wed with suspicion for my dowry.

WALTER.

To divide grief is the prerogative of Love. Annul
it, and you dethrone him.

FLORENCE.

All sovereigns have one monopoly. Love's is
sorrow.

MRS. DELMAR.

'Twill break thy heart. Thou hast not shed a tear
since that bitter night—

FLORENCE.

When my gay acquaintance stood aloof and I

became a solitude in a crowd. Nay, beloved, know
your Florence better. We give falsehood warrant,
suffering it to move us. We will not honour it by a
sigh.

WALTER.

Nor let it print its trace on our faces? Ah,
Florence!

FLORENCE.

Change and quiet—the soft air of the South will
restore me.

WALTER.

Oh Love, give me title to go with thee.

MRS. DELMAR.

Hear him, Florence;—for my sake! Thou canst
not harbour one thought of him thou hast renounced?
Nay, I would not pain thee! But think of Walter's
claims; I speak not of his genius, but of his goodness.
Has he not been faithful alike in trial and
success? Who recovered for us the rights which
fraud and power so long withheld? To whom do we
owe these comforts?

WALTER.

Plead not thus. Affection is a boon—not a debt.

FLORENCE.

He deserves more than I can give him—all the
heart.

MRS. DELMAR.
What would'st thou not do for him?

FLORENCE.
Pray for him, bless him, toil for him, die for him.

MRS. DELMAR.
This is caprice.
You bear him such regard, yet do not love him?

FLORENCE.
Oh! speech is poor to paint a difference
I feel so vast! Trust, honour, tenderness—
The all that friendship asks—compose not love!
Friendship still keeps distinction. Friends are twain,
But lovers one!
Friends are two kings in dear confederance join'd,
That still rule separate empires; but in love
Both realms united, take one name, one tongue,
One law, one faith, one consequence, one crown!
Friends are two banks a kindly stream divides;
Lovers—twin clouds into each other blent
And bath'd in the same beam. Friends are like trees
That stand with arms enlaced but parted roots;
But that we love is grafted on one stem,
Fed with our sap, and nurtur'd by our dews,
And wither'd in our blight!

WALTER.
True; let me pause.
The sun's eclipsed that woke to bursting flower
My passion's seeds and scorched it. Do I well
To hang a withered garland on this altar? (Aside.)

And yet my name would shield her.

MRS. DELMAR.
He awaits
Thy last resolve.

WALTER.
Not now; 'twere ill to stake
On one rash cast thy peace. What issue time
Shall prove thy weal—I will adopt my own.

FLORENCE
(taking his hand).
My dear—best—brother!

WALTER.

Contrast of life! Florence an outcast—Laura with
opinion for her slave. The oracle of the hour, the
dispenser of reputations—absolving or condemning by
a breath. How great her power! What wounds
might it heal. What wrongs redress. Why not
those of Florence, her childhood's friend? By Laura's
sanction innocence were cleared—malice confounded.
I will have audience of her. She may be moved to
see him who stood erect before her scorn—a suppliant
for another. (Aside.)
Hope, dear Florence—hope!

[He goes out.
Enter Attendant.
ATTENDANT.

A messenger, Madam, from Miss Hallerton; she
would know if your health and leisure permit you to
receive her. (To Florence.)

FLORENCE.

This is strange. (Aside.)
Request the messenger to
wait. I will speak with her. (Attendant goes out.)

MRS. DELMAR.

Insolent woman! Would she mock the victim of
her heartlessness? But you will not see her!

FLORENCE.

I will, dear Mother. Come—I'll show you reason
for it.

[They go out.