Scene.—Hall in the house of Countess Cathleen. At the Left an oratory with steps leading up to it. At the Right a tapestried wall, more or less repeating the form of the oratory, and a great chair with its back against the wall. In the Centre are two or more arches through which one can see dimly the trees of the garden. Cathleen is kneeling in front of the altar in the oratory; there is a hanging lighted lamp over the altar. Aleel enters.
ALEEL
I have come to bid you leave this castle and fly
Out of these woods.
CATHLEEN
What evil is there here
That is not everywhere from this to the sea?
ALEEL
They who have sent me walk invisible.
CATHLEEN
So it is true what I have heard men say,
That you have seen and heard what others cannot.
ALEEL