A knot of fate indeed, which truly seems
Unable to be loosed by human sense—
And so, I take it, it must needs be cut.
I see no other possibility
Than that the strand which links thy husband’s life
To mine must now at last be cut in twain.
Hilary’s wife:
What! Part from thee!—My husband never will.
’Twould go against the spirit of the house
Which by his own dear father was inspired