You stare at me as if you saw that snake.
Ha! Ha! Your nerves are shaken; you are so weak! You cannot go! What! Fainting? Ah, rest here
Upon this couch.
[She half supports, half thrusts him back to a couch, in an alcove out of sight and draws a curtain. There is a knock at the door.]
ELINOR
Who's there?
PRIORESS
Madam, I came
To know if I could help in anything.
ELINOR
Nothing! His blood runs languidly. It needs
The pricking of a vein to make the heart
Beat, and the sluggish rivers flow. I have brought
A lance for it. I'll let a little blood.
Not over-much; enough, enough to set
The pulses throbbing.
PRIORESS
Maid Marian came with him.
She waits without and asks—