Poe. It is late—so late! O, my Lenore, you kept up for me! Your weary eyes would not close until they had found their lover! O, can you forgive me, and take me back to your heart? You will love me again?
Vir. Ah, Edgar, if love were enough we should always be happy.
Poe. Love me, love me, dear! I want no more! And this cough ... we shall stop all that, darling! O, how weary you must be, and you tried to have everything so beautiful for me! How pretty your dress is! You look like a Naiad smiling out of a lily. But it ’s too cold! Here, I will wrap you! (Puts shawl about her) Ah, little wife, little wife, what evil power locked your gentle heart with mine? Bear with me, love. It will all be different soon. I shall try so hard the gods for pity will not let me fail! See how I have eaten! You may give me more, love. You did not cook this, I know. You stole it from Jove’s kitchen.
Vir. (Getting food) Yes, I did, and Jove caught me, but he let me go when I told him it was for a poet.
Poe. Little witch! (Kisses her) How happy we shall be, Virginia, as soon as I have money. I shall go to New York for a year. It will take only a year. Then I shall come back bringing the lady Fame with me, and you must not be jealous of her.
Vir. (Slowly) You—would not—take me?
Poe. Why, the north-wind would blow the Spring from my little girl’s cheek! Just a year! That is the first step—a cruel one—but we shall be happy when it is over. Just a year, sweetheart! I must take no chances now! I must win!
Vir. You shall not leave me! A year will not hurt me, Edgar! But it would kill me to be left here ... and not know ... every minute....
Poe. Do you care so much, Lenore? Then we will both stay here. It will take longer, but I will work harder—
Vir. Enough for to-night. We are too happy for to-morrows, Edgar. Now you must have a long, long sleep—