The anguish—the remorse. No, let it pass!

And let me come to such most poor atonement

Yet in my power. Pauline!—

Pauline.

No, touch me not!

I know my fate. You are, by law, my tyrant;

And I—O Heaven!—a peasant's wife! I'll work—

Toil—drudge—do what thou wilt—but touch me not!

Let my wrongs make me sacred!

Mel.