RAVENSBANE [Dejectedly.] She did not smile— [Joyously.] She smiled!
JUSTICE MERTON Affected rogue! I know thee. I know thy feigned pauses, thy assumed vagaries. Speak; how much do you want?
RAVENSBANE Betrothed,—he went away. That was good. And then—she did not smile: that was not good. But then—she smiled! Ah! that was good.
JUSTICE MERTON Come back, coward, and face me.
RAVENSBANE First, the great sun shone over the corn-fields, the grass was green; the black wings rose and flew before me; then the door opened—and she looked at me.
JUSTICE MERTON Speak, I say! What sum? What treasure do you hope to bleed from me?
RAVENSBANE [Ecstatically.] Ah! Mistress Rachel!
JUSTICE MERTON Her! Scoundrel, if thou dost name her again, my innocent—my sweet maid! If thou dost—thou godless spawn of temptation—mark you, I will put an end—
[Reaching for a pistol that rests in a rack on the wall,—the intervening form of Dickon suddenly appears, pockets the pistol, and exit.]
DICKON I beg pardon; I forgot something.