Sooner than he should take me unto wife, That is badly said. MARGARET. IOLA (speaking violently). 'Tis MURDER either way. (Pause.) I choose мY path! MARGARET (frightened). Think no more on this; and I will try What my old wits can do, my pretty lamb. IOLA (throws her arms around Margaret's neck). MARGARET. You fond and coaxing little girl! How the thunder roars! IOLA. Oh! what's the storm without to that within! (Thunder.) (Folds her hands over her bosom.) Did Master Grimes appoint the day in which Oh! my father; would you were near me now! MARGARET. And when he comes; good by to poor Adele! IOLA (clapping her hands). Adele! Adele! The door-the door! (Knock.) (Margaret opens the door, L. H. U. E.) (Enter Adele.) I am so glad to see you! ADELE (advancing). Dear Iola! the storm is walking earth, Clothed with live thunder: and the white lightning Well you, my gentle gipsy, are as firm As I with Sir William Stanton was this morn! (Sits down.) O! I have been threatened, Adele! Threatened ADELE (violently-voice half breaking). The wind does force the doors-I'll fasten them. Then I'll try your gipsy hat. Nay, that is rude! How dark your eyes are! ADELE. It is the light of yours which makes them so! IOLA (takes off the hat). Now the hat is off. Why! why! That hair!-'t is not 't is not like mine! IOLA (frightened-running into a corner). Art thou a man? Oh! come not near me ! LESTER (approaches-Iola shrinks). Lady! how can I crave forgiveness? IOLA. That voice that voice! I pray you come not near me! LESTER (gradually approaching). (Supplicating.) Oh, fear me not! Hear me! hear me ! (Spoken rapidly.) Oh, let me breathe my everlasting love, And pour my fond heart's overflowing joy To thee! That voice! (Noises outside. Voices heard.) IOLA (starting). (Lester draws himself up in an attitude of determination, one arm being around Iola's waist.) VOICE (outside in flat). I'll burst the door! (Violent noise.) (Iola disengages herself from Lester, and Lester advances to the door.) IOLA. My father's voice!-I'm lost! My life is thine ! LESTER. (The door is burst open. Enter Grimes.) GRIMES (pointing to dress on floor). What masqueradings here? Who art THOU? Die, ruffian ! (Draws dagger and rushes at him.) IOLA (rushes to her father and clings to him). False-hearted child-thou hast deceived me. LESTER. She has not, Master Grimes, For I am the deceiver-I, alone! In yon disguise, good Master Grimes, I came And with a little basket on my arm, And harmless stories resting on my tongue, I gained th' admission here which you refused. And now, I've won her heart, good Master Grimes, (Taking Iola's hand, and kissing it-Iola is on a chair.) Give your consent: for never, 'till within A space of time too small to name, was she GRIMES. Rise, sir-my daughter's hand is yours. (Going.) (Exit Grimes, R. H. U. E.) LESTER (advancing to Iola). What! not a word To bid bright hope rise o'er my aching heart? Keep thoughts its prisoner! Dost weep?-Dost weep, my fairest? Oh, those tears Which course the marble of thy bloodless cheeks Are to my heart as fire! Speak-speak! Oh, speak! IOLA. 'Tis past belief; and yet NOT past the truth! My sweetest! LESTER. IOLA. Oh, I am lost-for ever, ever, lost! LESTER. My loved one! thy great fears do magnify For Master Grimes has given thee to me! And what care I for that the world can do, When thy sweet eyes are more than worlds to me! |