Anna. Who am I—;dear, my lord,
Your handmaid if you come, wronged in your honour,
To punish treason. I will lead the way.
But first a light.... [Stooping to kindle the lantern.] This evening in the dark
A woman crept along; the chapel door
Received her. But I have not seen her face.
[Looking toward the chapel.
How dark and shut!
She sleeps, if she is sleeping, in a tomb....
If she is sleeping.
Raoul. Is the chapel locked?
But you have entry. Give me up the key.
Anna. Then waken her. To slay one in one’s sleep
Is like a murder.
Raoul. Anna, you are cold,
These hands are far more icy than the keys....
Some wrath is in your heart.
Anna. O love, beloved,
That she could so betray you! Take the light,
Swift to your vengeance!
Raoul. Guide me to the door....
There is the siren in your voice. I falter....
Say, Anna—;we are lovers, it is dark,
And if I have your love that is revenge,
The sweetest to my lips.
Anna. Go, strike her dead.
It is my swift command. Betwixt us twain
There is no secret moment while she lives.
Strike swiftly, for I perish.
Raoul. But lead on;
It was your promise....
Anna. I will look no more
Upon her face, or dead or living. Strike,
With an open-dealing justice.
[She turns with the lantern away.
Raoul. And no light,
Your will, but shifting Luna.
[He disappears in the gloom.
Anna. I would pray....
[Facing the tower.
How still and awful! I could wish the bells
Would jangle on my ear: through the open turret
Two stars at gaze, but no sharp monitor.
And there is peril. Treason moves about
Somewhere, though indistinct. Some wrong is done
That the wide stream of starlight warns me of.
What is it? [She remains looking steadily up.
Raoul [returning]. But the door is barred within....
I cannot enter. Quick, take up the lantern
And light me to my work.... You will not come?
... You are dazed,
Staring at that high belfry. Off again!
An instant, you have lost the scent, poor Lulla!
What puts a woman off the scent of life
Like this religion! [Catching her wrist.] But you shall not damn me
A second time with your uncertain strength
And eddying virtue. Come, take the lantern
And tremble to the doorway.
[She holds the light steadily, looks in his
face, and stretches her arm as a
barrier between him and the chapel.
Anna. ... Count of Valois,
No further! I am taken unawares
In a great sin. That woman is my foe,
I am thirsting for her death.... We may not touch her.
She is in sanctuary.