Her. What do you remember?
LeV. Ah!... Pardon, princess!
Cha. May I mend this peace?
Her. [Sitting again by LeVal] It is not broken yet.
LeV. Your gentleness
Has saved it, not my manners.
Her. Oh, my lord,
Would I had grace to cover sorrow's breach
As smoothly as a gap in courtesy!
Then you should smile!
LeV. I have a happiness
That makes it thievery in me to take
Your pity. You've a sadder need.
Her. I'll yield
No jocund vantage to that brow of yours.
You hear this sombre braggart, Chartrien?
Speaks as I were Despair's own fosterling!
LeV. You are. As I am Hope's. Do you not gaze
On earth's foul spots and cry "A sad world this!"
"We must endure!" "The dear God wills it so!"
And such and such like seed of misery
Till hopelessness sprouts chronic?—building then
Your house of life amid its smelling weeds,
Where you may dance—or pray—till you forget
Your creed keeps earth in tears?
Her. And yours, my lord?