JUSTICE MERTON [Sinking into a chair.] God is just. [He holds his head in his hands and weeps.]
RAVENSBANE [For the first time, since Rachel’s departure, observes Merton.] Permit me, sir, are you ill?
JUSTICE MERTON [Recoiling.] What art thou?
RAVENSBANE [Monotonously.]
I am Lord Ravensbane: Marquis of Oxford, Baron of Wittenberg, Elector of Worms, and—
JUSTICE MERTON And my son! [Covers his face again.]
RAVENSBANE [Solicitously.] Shall I call Dickon?
JUSTICE MERTON Yea, for thou art my son. The deed once done is never done, the past is the present.
RAVENSBANE [Walking softly toward the door, calls.] Dickon!
JUSTICE MERTON [Starting up.] No, do not call him. Stay, and be merciful. Tell me: I hate thee not; thou wast innocent. Tell me!—I thought thou hadst died as a babe.—Where has Dickon, our tyrant, kept thee these twenty years?