Gertrude. [To Agnes, pointing to the book.] This frightens you.  Simple print and paper, so you pretend to regard it; but it frightens you. [With a quick movement, Agnes twists her chair round and faces Gertrude fiercely.] I called you a mad thing just now.  A week ago I did think you half-mad—­a poor, ill-used creature, a visionary, a moral woman living immorally; yet, in spite of all, a woman to be loved and pitied.  But now I’m beginning to think you’re only frail—­wanton.  Oh, you’re not so mad as not to know you’re wicked! [Tapping the book forcibly.] And so this frightens you.

Agnes.  You’re right!  Wanton!  That’s what I’ve become!  And I’m in my right senses, as you say.  I suppose I was mad once for a little time, years ago.  And do you know what drove me so? [Striking the book with her fist.] It was that—­that!

Gertrude.  That!

Agnes.  I’d trusted in it, clung to it, and it failed me.  Never once did it stop my ears to the sounds of a curse; when I was beaten it didn’t make the blows a whit lighter; it never healed my bruised flesh, my bruised spirit!  Yes, that drove me distracted for a while; but I’m sane now—­now it is you that are mad, mad to believe!  You foolish people, not to know [beating her breast and forehead]—­that Hell or Heaven is here and here! [Pointing to the book.] Take it! [Gertrude turns away and joins Amos, and they walk quickly to the door.]

Agnes. [Frantically.] I’ll not endure the sight of it—! [As they reach the door, Gertrude looks back and sees Agnes hurl the book into the fire.  They go out.  Agnes starts to her feet and stands motionless for a moment, her head bent, her fingers twisted in her hair.  Then she raises her head; the expression of her face has changed to a look of fright and horror.  Uttering a loud cry, she hastens to the stove, and, thrusting her hand into the fire, drags out the book.  Gertrude and Amos re-enter quickly in alarm.]

Gertrude.  Agnes—! [They stand looking at Agnes, who is kneeling upon the ground, clutching the charred book.]

END OF THE THIRD ACT

THE FOURTH ACT

[The scene is an apartment in the Campo San Bartolomeo.  The walls are of plaster; the ceiling is frescoed in cheap modern Italian fashion.  At the end of the room is a door leading to Agnes’s bedroom; to the left is an exit onto a landing, while a nearer door, on the same side, opens into another room.  The furniture and the few objects attached to the walls are characteristic of a moderate-priced Venetian lodging.  Placed about the room, however, are photographs in pretty fanes and knick-knacks personal to Gertrude, and a travelling-trunk and bag are also to be seen.  The shutters of the two nearer windows are closed; a broad stream of moonlight, coming through the further window, floods the upper part of the room.]