No, Geneviva. I have little speech;
But when the secret crept into my soul
I loved you, it was not to Marcomir
I spoke: and if another secret now
Is breaking through my nature, do not think
That he will be the spokesman.
[noticing her agitation] Hermann died
I think by his own hand; he courted death.
What can a man prize in captivity?
[as Geneviva grows more agitated]
There! I will speak no more of him. Your maids—
[turning to summon her attendants].
GENEVIVA.
Weave the great arras. They have no concern
With me, except in silence to array.
You thought I cared to gossip with my maids!
But summon Marcomir.
[She looks after Carloman, who walks out, stroking his chin].
To think he dared
To lean above me with those burning eyes
Unconscious what they glassed. I did not learn
From him the magic that was born in me,
I learnt it when great Hermann passed in chains,
And he is dead. I promised I would go
To-day and visit him. How could he die?
[Marcomir enters.]
Why, you are deadly pale!
[She recoils, and says in a faint voice]
It is the hour
Fixed for our visit.
MARCOMIR.
But the man is dead.
GENEVIVA.
What does he look like now? Is he so changed
I must not see him?