Countess. 'Twas for that purpose that I bade her leave us.
Thekla, you are no more a child. Your heart
Is now no more in nonage: for you love,
And boldness dwells with love—that you have proved.
Your nature moulds itself upon your father's 10
More than your mother's spirit. Therefore may you
Hear, what were too much for her fortitude.
Thekla. Enough! no further preface, I entreat you.
At once, out with it! Be it what it may,
It is not possible that it should torture me 15
More than this introduction. What have you
To say to me? Tell me the whole and briefly!
Countess. You'll not be frightened—
Thekla. Name it, I entreat you.
Countess. It lies within your power to do your father
A weighty service—
Thekla. Lies within my power? [20]
Countess. Max Piccolomini loves you. You can link him
Indissolubly to your father.
Thekla. I?
What need of me for that? And is he not
Already linked to him?
Countess. He was.
Thekla. And wherefore
Should he not be so now—not be so always? 25