d I tremble?
By your permission Harcourt was admitted;
'Twas no mysterious, secret introduction.

_Dou._ And yet you seem alarm'd.--If Harcourt's presence
Thus agitates each nerve, makes every pulse
Thus wildly throb, and the warm tides of blood
Mount in quick rushing tumults to your cheek;
If friendship can excite such strong emotions,
What tremors had a lover's presence caus'd?

_Elw._ Ungenerous man!

_Dou._ I feast upon her terrors. [_aside._
The story of his death was well contriv'd; [_to her._
But it affects not me; I have a wife,
Compar'd with whom cold Dian was unchaste. [_takes her hand._
But mark me well--though it concerns not you--
If there's a sin more deeply black than others,
Distinguish'd from the list of common crimes,
A legion in itself, and doubly dear
To the dark prince of hell, it is--hypocrisy.
[_throws her from him, and exit._

_Elw._ Yes, I will bear his fearful indignation!
Thou melting heart, be firm as adamant;
Ye shatter'd nerves, be strung with manly force,
That I may conquer all my sex's weakness,
Nor let this bleeding bosom lodge one thought,
Cherish one wish, or harbour one desire,
That angels may not hear and Douglas know. [_exit._

ACT THE FOURTH.

SCENE I. THE HALL.

_Enter Douglas, his sword drawn and bloody in one hand,
in the other a letter. Harcourt, wounded._

_Dou._ Traitor, no more! this letter shews thy office;
Twice hast thou robb'd me of my dear revenge.
I took thee for thy leader.--Thy base blood
Would stain the noble temper of my sword;
But as the pander to thy master's lust,
Thou justly fall'st by a wrong'd husband's hand.

_Har._ Thy wife is innocent.

_Dou._ Take him away.

_Har._ Percy, revenge my fall! [_guards bear Harcourt in._

_Dou._ Now for the letter!
He begs once more to see her.--So 'tis plain
They have already met!--but to the rest----
[_Reads._] "In vain you wish me to restore the scarf;
Dear pledge of love, while I have life I'll wear it,
'Tis next my heart; no power shall force it thence;
Whene'er you see it in another's hand,
Conclude me dead."--My curses on them both!
How tamely I peruse my shame! but thus,
Thus let me tear the guilty characters
Which register my infamy; and thus,
Thus would I scatter to the winds of heaven
The vile complotters of my foul dishonour.
[_tears the letter in the utmost agitation._

_Enter Edric._

_Edr._ My lord----