Scene V.
Norton, Mellefont, Sara, Betty.
MELLEFONT.
You are back again already, Norton? That is well! You will be of more use here.
NORTON.
Marwood is gone----
MELLEFONT.
And my curses follow her! She is gone? Whither? May misfortune and death, and, were it possible, a whole hell lie in her path! May Heaven thunder a consuming fire upon her, may the earth burst open under her, and swallow the greatest of female monsters!
NORTON.
As soon as she returned to her lodgings, she threw herself into her carriage, together with Arabella and her maid, and hurried away, at full gallop. This sealed note was left behind for you.
MELLEFONT (taking the note).
It is addressed to me. Shall I read it, Sara?
SARA.
When you are calmer, Mellefont.
MELLEFONT.
Calmer? Can I be calmer, before I have revenged myself on her, and before I know that you are out of danger, dearest Sara?
SARA.
Let me not hear of revenge! Revenge is not ours.--But you open the letter? Alas, Mellefont! Why are we less prone to certain virtues with a healthy body, which feels its strength, than with a sick and wearied one? How hard are gentleness and moderation to you, and how unnatural to me appears the impatient heat of passion! Keep the contents for yourself alone.
MELLEFONT.
What spirit is it that seems to compel me to disobey you? I opened it against my will, and against my will I must read it!
SARA (whilst Mellefont reads to himself).
How cunningly man can disunite his nature, and make of his passions another being than himself, on whom he can lay the blame for that which in cold blood he disapproves.--The water, Betty! I fear another shock, and shall need it. Do you see what effect the unlucky note has on him? Mellefont! You lose your senses, Mellefont! God! he is stunned! Here, Betty. Hand him the water! He needs it more than I.
MELLEFONT (pushing Betty back).
Back, unhappy girl! Your medicines are poison!
SARA.
What do you say? Recover yourself! You do not recognise her.
BETTY.
I am Betty,--take it!
MELLEFONT.
Wish rather, unhappy girl, that you were not she! Quick! Fly, before in default of the guiltier one you become the guilty victim of my rage.
SARA.
What words! Mellefont, dearest Mellefont----
MELLEFONT.
The last "dearest Mellefont" from these divine lips, and then no more for ever! At your feet, Sara----(throwing himself down). But why at your feet? (springing up again). Disclose it? I disclose it to you? Yes! I will tell you, that you will hate me, that you must hate me! You shall not hear the contents, no, not from me. But you will hear them. You will----Why do you all stand here, stock still, doing nothing? Run, Norton, bring all the doctors? Seek help, Betty! Let your help be as effective as your error! No, stop here! I will go myself----
SARA.
Whither, Mellefont? Help for what? Of what error do you speak?
MELLEFONT.
Divine help, Sara! or inhuman revenge! You are lost, dearest Sara! I too am lost! Would the world were lost with us!
Scene VI.
Sara, Norton, Betty.
SARA.
He is gone! I am lost? What does he mean? Do you understand him, Norton? I am ill, very ill; but suppose the worst, that I must die, am I therefore lost? And why does he blame you, poor Betty? You wring your hands? Do not grieve; you cannot have offended him; he will bethink himself; Had he only done as I wished, and not read the note! He could have known that it must contain the last poisoned words from Marwood.
BETTY.
What terrible suspicion! No, it cannot be. I do not believe it! NORTON (who has gone towards the back of the stage). Your father's old servant, Miss.
SARA.
Let him come in, Norton.