University of Virginia Library

Scene III.

—The Court-yard. Bernard and Ulric just dismounted from their Horses.
Ul.
Oh, Leonard, what a man you are! That demon
Against his will you 've turned into an angel!
And now black Sorcerer, you have found your master
For ever more! Oh, how have we all lived
Without you? There is Oswald—he can ride,
We all know that—but he 's a child to you—
Oswald, you know it.

Osw.
That 's as may be, Sir.
[Aside]
'T is not my fault—I 've made no league with Satan.

Ul.
When he began his devilry again,
Just as we got upon the turf, you know—
You 'd say he had a hundred hoofs, not four—
Then I did think it was all over with you.
He meant it—he meant murder, nothing else—
In truth I knew not half his wickedness,
No, nor yet half his worth. Oh, you must teach me
The cunning secrets you have brought away
From your wild west with you. How old were you
When you left home? You must have had adventures
And wondrous—by the score—by land and sea?
And fought the Spaniards oft?

Bern.
Yes, I have been
Where human lives were tossed about in the air
As children toss their balls.

Ul.
But I shall never
Get half my questions asked. Why, why not tell me
Who you are—where you come from?

Bern.
'T is small matter.
The past is past—why should we talk of it?

Ul.
And shall you never see your home again,
Nor parents?

Bern.
Well—I cannot talk of that.

Ul.
Well, Leonard, then at least you 'll stay here always?

Bern.
That may be doubtful.

Ul.
I shall speak to-night
About you to my father.

Bern.
But if Fate
Held me as in a leash, to pluck me back,
When my time comes?

Ul.
Oh, but where would you go,
If you left us?

Bern.
Where would I go? Oh, God!
I need not think of that yet—no, not yet.
The very dead may leave their graves at night!

Ul.
Leonard! But you talk thus, to startle me
From asking you more questions. See you come
Up to the Hall to-night—I must be gone.
To-morrow you shall tell me everything.

[Exit.