Catharine.
Oh, thou shalt have thy asking, never fear;
But first thou’lt answer questioning,—’tis but
A foolish, idle question, yet thou mayst
True answer make. But to be brief: Didst ever
Love before? Good gentleman, I pray thee
Answer me truly.
Northlake.
Briefly, but once.
Catharine.
Speak not beyond. I thank thee. Sweeter sound
Was never borne upon the air to woman.
But of this once? Answer me that.
Northlake.
Truly but once, and once most truly, I
Did love her. [Pausing.] Well, I’ll pause no further; yet
Her voice and gesture much resembled thine.
We parted, years ago, in sad estrangement;
And though within that sombre lapse of time
We’ve often met, yet never have we spoken.
For we indeed are to each other—dead!
Catharine.