“I pray thee go, go.”
“Where thou goest I will also go; and where thou stayest, I will stay.”
“But if thou stayest thou diest.”
“Without thee what is life? Why do thy eyes turn from me; what is the price thou hast paid for my liberty?”
“No price is high for a dear human life. There is yet time. For my sake, go!”
“But he for whom that life is bought may cast the gift from him as I do, and as I also cast thee away.”
“Ah, Maurico—’tis not the hour to hate. Peace and good-will, peace and good-will.” She turned deadly pale, and rocked to and fro in agony.
His arms were about her in a moment. “My transient hate—my fears, were but excess of love.”
“Speak on, speak on, death vainly strives against the warmth of love. I feel for thee. Speak on, oh, my Maurico. But a little, and envious death shall have his will.”
“Leonora—Leonora, thou art dying!”