Why cast'st thou that uneasy look?
Why linger'st thou? I'm not alone with her.
My honour's with her too. I would not wrong her.

_Alice_. And if thou wouldst, thou'rt not thy mother's son.

[Goes out.]

_Wal_. You are better?

_Lydia_. Much!--much!

_Wal_. Know you him who durst
Attempt this violence in open day?
It seemed as he would force thee to his coach,
I saw attending.

_Lydia_. Take this letter, sir,
And send the answer--I must needs be gone.

_Wal_. [Throwing the letter away.] I read no letter!
Tell me, what of him
I saw offend thee?

_Lydia_. He hath often met me,
And by design I think, upon the street,
And tried to win mine ear, which ne'er he got
Save only by enforcement. Presents--gifts--
Of jewels and of gold to wild amount,
To win an audience, hath he proffered me;
Until, methought, my silence--for my lips
Disdained reply were question was a wrong--
Had wearied him. Oh, sir, whate'er of life
Remains to me I had foregone, ere proved
The horror of this hour!--and you it is
That have protected me?

_Wal_. Oh, speak not on't!

_Lydia_. You that have saved me from mine enemy--

_Wal_. I pray you to forget it.

_Lydia_. From a foe
More dire than he that putteth life in peril--

_Wal_. Sweet Lydia, I beseech you spare me.

_Lydia_. No!
I will not spare you.--You have brought me to safety,
You whom I fear worse than that baleful foe.

[Rises to go.]

_Wal_. [Kneeling and snatching her hand.] Lydia!

_Lydia_. Now, make thy bounty perfect. Drop
My hand. That posture which dishonours thee,
Quit!--for 'tis shame on shame to show respect
Where we do feel disdain. Throw ope thy gate
And let me pass, and never seek with me,
By look, or speech, or aught, communion more!

_Wal_. Thou saidst thou lovedst me?

_Lydia_. Yes! when I believed
My tongue did take of thee its last adieu,
And now that I do know it--for be sure
It never bids adieu to thee again--
Again, I tell it thee! Release me, sir!
Rise!--and no hindrance to my will oppose.
That would be free to go.

_Wal_. I cannot lose thee!

_Lydia_. Thou canst not have me!

_Wal_. No!

_Lydia_. Thou canst not. I
Repeat it.--Yet I'm thine--thine every way,
Except where honour fences!--Honour, sir,
Not property of gentle blood alone;
Of gentle blood not always property!
Thou'lt not obey me. Still enforcest me!
Oh, what a contradiction is a man!
What in another he one moment spurns,
The next--he