t.]

[Enter MARMADUKE and WILFRED]

WILFRED Be cautious, my dear Master!

MARMADUKE I perceive
That fear is like a cloak which old men huddle
About their love, as if to keep it warm.

WILFRED Nay, but I grieve that we should part. This Stranger,
For such he is--

MARMADUKE Your busy fancies, Wilfred,
Might tempt me to a smile; but what of him?

WILFRED You know that you have saved his life.

MARMADUKE I know it.

WILFRED And that he hates you!--Pardon me, perhaps
That word was hasty.

MARMADUKE Fy! no more of it.

WILFRED Dear Master! gratitude's a heavy burden
To a proud Soul.--Nobody loves this Oswald--
Yourself, you do not love him.

MARMADUKE I do more,
I honour him. Strong feelings to his heart
Are natural; and from no one can be learnt
More of man's thoughts and ways than his experience
Has given him power to teach: and then for courage
And enterprise--what perils hath he shunned?
What obstacles hath he failed to overcome?
Answer these questions, from our common knowledge,
And be at rest.

WILFRED Oh, Sir!

MARMADUKE Peace, my good Wilfred;
Repair to Liddesdale, and tell the Band
I shall be with them in two days, at farthest.

WILFRED May He whose eye is over all protect you!

[Exit.]

[Enter OSWALD (a bunch of plants in his hand)]

OSWALD This wood is rich in plants and curious simples.

MARMADUKE (looking at them)
The wild rose, and the poppy, and the nightshade:
Which is your favorite, Oswald?

OSWALD That which, while it is
Strong to destroy, is also strong to heal--
[Looking forward.]
Not yet in sight!--We'll saunter here awhile;
They cannot mount the hill, by us unseen.

MARMADUKE (a letter in his hand)
It is no common thing when one like you
Performs these delicate services, and therefore
I feel myself much bounden to you, Oswald;
'T