[_The lady looks round, and _LILY clings to her father.
Women talking.]
1st W.
I'm sure he's stolen the child. She can't be his.
2nd W.
There's a suspicious look about him.
3rd W
True;
But the child clings to him as if she loved him.
[JULIAN moves on slowly.]
SCENE XV.—JULIAN seated in his room, his eyes fixed on the floor. LILY playing in a corner.
Julian.
Though I am lonely, yet this little child—
She understands me better than the Twelve
Knew the great heart of him they called their Lord.
Ten times last night I woke in agony,
I knew not why. There was no comforter.
I stretched my arm to find her, and her place
Was empty as my heart. Sometimes my pain
Forgets its cause, benumbed by its own being;
Then would I lay my aching, weary head
Upon her bosom, promise of relief:
I lift my eyes, and Lo, the vacant world!
[He looks up and sees the child playing with his dagger.]
You'll hurt yourself, my child; it is too sharp.
Give it to me, my darling. Thank you, dear.
[He breaks the hilt from the blade and gives it her.]