MICH. I shall be proud of her when she is full grown and dares to leave me of her own free will, because she loves me, and because I am vowed to Heaven!
AUDR. Do I tempt you? I’ll go. You love me. That’s enough, or it should be enough. I’ll get back to London to-morrow, and strangle the new Audrie. Then the old Audrie will come back again, and live the old weary, dry, empty life—and grow old and wrinkled and heartless and perhaps—rouged——
MICH. Why do you tear me so? What do you want of me here or hereafter? Take it! It’s yours——
AUDR. You dare go on—now you know?
MICH. Yes.
AUDR. Ah! I thought it was only women who dared hell for love. I won’t take your sacrifice—I will leave you.
MICH. You will? Yes, it must be so! My work, my vows—I cannot, may not taste of earthly love. Oh, it’s cruel to dash the cup from my lips! (Pause; then very calmly.) You are right! I feel that we are choosing heaven or hell for both our souls this night! Help me to choose heaven for you, and I’ll help you to choose heaven for me.
AUDR. Good-bye, my love, for ever. Be brave—and very cold to me, now. Be like marble—and death.
MICH. (takes her hand; a very long pause; then speaks very calmly). It is victory, isn’t it? We have conquered? I’ll go down to the bay and see if your boat has come.
(By this time it is dark outside.)