Hard Anne, what has happened? Your horse galloped wildly into the stable—we thought you had been thrown.
Myles Here is a lether Eily tould me to give him. [To Hardress.] I beg your pardon, sir, but here’s the taste of a lether I was axed to give your honor. [Gives letter.
Hard [Aside.] From Eily!
Anne Thanks, my good fellow, for your assistance.
Myles Not at all, ma’am. Sure, there isn’t a boy in the County Kerry that would not give two thumbs off his hands to do a service to the Colleen Ruaidh, as you are called among us—iss indeed, ma’am. [Going—aside.] Ah! then it’s the purty girl she is, in them long clothes. [Exit Myles, R.
Hard [Reads, aside.] “I am the cause of your ruin; I can’t live with that thought killin’ me. If I do not see you before night you will never again be throubled with your poor Eily.” Little simpleton! she is capable of doing herself an injury.
Anne Hardress! I have been very blind and very foolish, but today I have learned to know my own heart. There’s my hand; I wish to seal my fate at once. I know the delicacy which prompted you to release me from my engagement to you. I don’t accept that release; I am yours.
Hard Anne, you don’t know all.
Anne I know more than I wanted, that’s enough. I forbid you ever to speak on this subject.
Hard You don’t know my past life.