Her. Ah, you could do it,—set him free!
Meg. Nay—don't—
Don't ask it, if you've mercy! Your highness knows
I could not grant so much though lips I love
Above my soul should beg that treason of me.
Though they should take again those dearest words
That knighted me, and now lie in my heart
Like swelling seed of fortune! Let me shield
His life. In saintliest trust—— [She shudders from him]
You fear me so?
Her. I do! I do! You took away LeVal,
And he no longer lives.
Meg. He does! My oath,
He does!
Her. You spared him?
Meg. By my soul, he lives!
But let the word sleep in your vestal ear,
Until these smouldering troubles die to dust
And feed the grass above them. For the State
Believes LeVal is dead, nor taints me with
Such treacherous clemency. See how I lay
My safety and my honor in your hands?
I give them, hostages for Chartrien!
Ah, you should know how I will guard your trust,
For when I say to you he does not live,
Your eyes will slay the single, nurturing hope
Of my own life!
Her. [Battling] I can not! I'm not Fate
To do her awesome work.
Meg. We aid her most
With passive hand, as Chartrien's ghost will come
On mourning nights to tell you.
Her. Oh, I'll speak!...
No, no! Ah, never, never!
Meg. [Resolute, giving up his suit] I must join
The hunt. There's but one place—the cave——