MARMADUKE I have much to say, but for whose ear?—­not thine.

IDONEA Ill can I bear that look—­Plead for me, Oswald! 
              You are my Father’s Friend. 
          (To MARMADUKE.) Alas, you know not,
              And never can you know, how much he loved me. 
              Twice had he been to me a father, twice
              Had given me breath, and was I not to be
              His daughter, once his daughter? could I withstand
              His pleading face, and feel his clasping arms,
              And hear his prayer that I would not forsake him
              In his old age—­
       [Hides her face.]

MARMADUKE Patience—­Heaven grant me patience!—­
              She weeps, she weeps—­my brain shall burn for hours
              Ere I can shed a tear.

IDONEA I was a woman;
              And, balancing the hopes that are the dearest
              To womankind with duty to my Father,
              I yielded up those precious hopes, which nought
              On earth could else have wrested from me;—­if erring,
              Oh let me be forgiven!

MARMADUKE I do forgive thee.

IDONEA But take me to your arms—­this breast, alas! 
              It throbs, and you have a heart that does not feel it.

MARMADUKE (exultingly)
              She is innocent. [He embraces her.]

OSWALD (aside)
              Were I a Moralist,
              I should make wondrous revolution here;
              It were a quaint experiment to show
              The beauty of truth—­ [Addressing them.]
                  I see I interrupt you;
              I shall have business with you, Marmaduke;
              Follow me to the Hostel.

[Exit OSWALD.]

IDONEA Marmaduke,
              This is a happy day.  My Father soon
              Shall sun himself before his native doors;
              The lame, the hungry, will be welcome there. 
              No more shall he complain of wasted strength,
              Of thoughts that fail, and a decaying heart;
              His good works will be balm and life to him.

MARMADUKE This is most strange!—­I know not what it was,
              But there was something which most plainly said,
              That thou wert innocent.

IDONEA How innocent!—­
              Oh heavens! you’ve been deceived.

MARMADUKE Thou art a Woman
              To bring perdition on the universe.