_Jan_. They have stopped!--the trampling has stopped!--I hear the
gate,--they have come into the yard.
(_A long wild yell is heard under the window. They stand,
looking silently at each other. Again it trembles through
the room, louder than before_.)
_Helen_. I am sorry you stayed here with me. Perhaps--Hark! What was
that? What was that? Was it not _Maitland_ they said then? It was--it
is--Don't grasp me so.
_Jan_. Nay--what would you do?
_Helen_. I must speak with them. Let go my arm! Do you not hear? 'Tis
Maitland they are talking of. How strangely that blessed name sounds in
those tones!
_Jan_. You must not--we have tempted Heaven already--this is madness.
_Helen_. Let go, Janette. It is not you they seek. You can conceal
yourself. You shall be safe.
_Jan_. She is wild! Nay, I was mad myself, or I should never have stayed
here. It were better to have lived always with them, than to be murdered
thus.
(_Helen opens the window, and stands for a moment, looking
silently down into the court. She turns away, shuddering_.)
_Helen_. Can I meet those eyes again?
(_Again the name of Maitland mingles with the wild
and unintelligible sounds that rise from without_.
Pages:
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137