day.

[_He goes out._]

[OLIVE _reels._ REDFEATHER _catches her._]

You are the strongest woman upon earth.
The weakest woman than the strongest man
Is stronger in her hour: this is the law.
When the hour passes--then may we be strong.

OLIVE [_wildly._]

The House ... the Face.

REDFEATHER [_fiercely_].

I love you. Look at me!

OLIVE [_turns her face to him._]

I hear six birds sing in that little tree,
Say, is the old earth laughing at my fears?
I think I love you also....

REDFEATHER.

What I am
You know. But I will never curse a man,
Even in a mirror.

OLIVE [_smiling at him_].

And the Devil's dance?

REDFEATHER.

The Devil plotted since the world was young
With alchemies of fire and witches' oils
And magic. But he never made a man.

OLIVE.

No; not a man.

REDFEATHER.

Not even my Lord Orm.
Look at the house now--

[_She starts and looks._]

Honest brick and tiles.

OLIVE.

You have a strange strength in this hour.

REDFEATHER.

This hour
I see with mortal eye as in one flash
The whole divine democracy of things,
And dare the stars to scorn a scavenge-heap.
Olive, I tell you every soul is great.
Weave we green crowns--how noble and how high;
Fling we white flowers--how radiant and how pure
Is he, whoe'er he be, who next shall cross
This scrap of grass....

[_Enter LORD ORM. _]

OLIVE [_screams_].

Ah!

REDFEATHER [_pointing to the chapel_].

Olive, go and pray
for a man soon to die. Good-day, my Lord.

[_She goes in._]

LORD ORM.

Good-day.

REDFEATHER.

I am a friend to Lady Olive.

LORD ORM.

Sir, you are fortunate.

REDFEATHER.

Most fortunate
In finding, sword on thigh and ready, one
Who is a villain and a gentleman.

LORD ORM [_picks up the flagon_].

Empty, I see.

REDFEATHER.

Oh sir, you never drink.
You dread to lose yourself before the stars--
Do you not dread to sleep?

LORD ORM [_violently_].

What would you here?

REDFEATHER.

Receive from you the title-deeds you hold.

LORD ORM.

You entertain me.

REDFEATHER.

With a bout at foils?

LORD ORM.

I will not fight.

REDFEATHER.

I know you better, then.
I have seen men grow mangier than the beasts,
Eat bread with blood upon their fingers, grin
While women burned: but one last law they served.
When I say 'Coward,' is the law awake?

LORD ORM.

Hear me, then, too: I have seen robbers rule,
And th