Ve. Josepha!
Jos. (starting) Surely that voice—the abbess, what can mean—
Ve. How? not speak to me, my child? not look upon your mother)
Jos. Mother? child? oh! it is long since I heard those dear, dear names—my heart—my feelings— (throwing herself into her arms) oh! if I am your child, then mother, mother! be to me a mother indeed!
Ve. And do I not prove myself one, my Josepha, when now, in spite of all your past perverseness, I again clasp you to my bosom, I again put it in your own choice to live in liberty, in society, in delight? look round you, my daughter! see how every countenance smiles to welcome you; see, how every heart springs towards you; see, how—
Jos. (starting away from her, exclaims with energy) Ha! now I understand it all! the mystery is cleared! the web is unravelled! yes, yes, the meaning bursts at once upon me, all in the broad blaze of its daring villany, in all the hypocrisy of its deep-laid odious art!
Ve. What art? what villany? when kindly I woo you to—
Jos. Speak not! proceed not! let not the unholy words pass through your lips, as you value your own soul! I guess your meaning; oh! then pronounce it not; great as are your crimes let me save you from committing one so monstrous as this! the lessons of vice from any lips appear disgusting; but when a woman gives them breath—tis horrible! tis dreadful! tis unnatural!
Ve. (aside) Oh! if I dared—no, no! it cannot be.
Jos. Ah! you melt? oh! then behold me kneeling before you; see my anguish, my fears, my hopes. I have none but in you! remember your sex, your habit, your former affection for me. You loved me once! even now you called me your child, often have you prest me to your heart with all a mother’s tenderness—oh! then by that tender name I charge you, I implore you, tempt me not to vice; rather aid me to persevere in virtue. Let me depart; restore me to my parents; I will never divulge your dreadful secret. It’s true I once threatned you; I would fain have terrified you into penitence, but you know my heart, all merciful; you know, that I would not willingly hurt even a worm!—she weeps! she pities me! blessings on you, eternal blessings! oh, let me hasten— (going, Veronica starts in terror: the nuns opposes her progress)