No, the most deserving was not among those which you can discover.... It will remain the secret of this heart which loves you both and unites you within itself and which, to change this too-deep secret into happiness, asks my two children for but a moment of their joy and perhaps for a kiss a little longer than those granted in passing to old men whose time on earth is short....
Lancéor.
(Throwing himself in Merlin's arms.) Father!...
Joyzelle.
(Also embracing Merlin.) My father too!...
Arielle.
(Trying to mingle with the closely entwined group.) No one sees me and no one thinks of giving me my share of the love snatched by my invisible hands from the miserly hands of the days and years....
Merlin.
(Smiling.) I see you, Arielle: you love all three of us; but a more ardent kiss ascends towards Joyzelle than those which you give to us.... There, kiss her; the proof is finished in my old heart too.... Yet a little while and we shall be far from her and far from all love....