[Goes and listens at the dungeon.]
Praying or parleying?--tut!
Is he not eyeless? He has been half-dead
These fifteen years--

[Enter female Beggar with two or three of her Companions.]

(Turning abruptly.) Ha! speak--what Thing art thou?
(Recognises her.) Heavens! my good friend! [To her.]

BEGGAR Forgive me, gracious Sir!--

OSWALD (to her companions)
Begone, ye Slaves, or I will raise a whirlwind
And send ye dancing to the clouds, like leaves.
[They retire affrighted.]

BEGGAR Indeed we meant no harm; we lodge sometimes
In this deserted Castle--_I repent me._

[OSWALD goes to the dungeon--listens--returns to the Beggar.]

OSWALD Woman, thou hast a helpless Infant--keep
Thy secret for its sake, or verily
That wretched life of thine shall be the forfeit.

BEGGAR I _do_ repent me, Sir; I fear the curse
Of that blind Man. 'Twas not your money, Sir,--

OSWALD Begone!

BEGGAR (going)
There is some wicked deed in hand:
[Aside.]
Would I could find the old Man and his Daughter.

[Exit Beggar.]

[MARMADUKE re-enters from the dungeon]

OSWALD It is all over then;--your foolish fears
Are hushed to sleep, by your own act and deed,
Made quiet as he is.

MARMADUKE Why came you down?
And when I felt your hand upon my arm
And spake to you, why did you give no answer?
Feared you to waken him? he must have been
In a deep sleep. I whispered to him thrice.
There are the strangest echoes in that place!

OSWALD Tut! let them gabble till the day of doom.

MARMADUKE Scarcely, by groping, had I reached the Spot,
When round my wrist I felt a cord drawn tight,
As if the blind Man's dog were pulling at it.

OSWALD But after that?

MARMADUKE The features of Idonea
Lurked in his face--

OSWALD Psha! Never to these eyes
Will retribution show itself again
With aspect so inviting. Why forbid me
To share your triumph?

MARMADUKE