esty)

Hel. (Motionless with clenched hands) Wicked, wicked woman!...
(Goes to window, rear, opens it, draws long breaths as if
stifling, and turns back into room) Edgar! My love! I was
a thing of clay. One look from your eyes has made me a
being of fire and air.... (Lies down on couch and takes up
her book) ... I can not read ... or sleep ... or pray.
There's too much whirling in my heart for prayer....
(Starts) What moan is that?... (Rises, takes light from
table, goes to window, leans out, casting the rays down)
Nothing.... I'm fanciful.... The moon is rising. (Goes
back, putting light on table) O, Edgar! God help me to be
what love must be to thee. Love that can look on miracles
and be sane. What a face when he said goodnight! Like an
angel's whose immortality is his wound.... Poor Roger!...
What will my father say?... (Moonlight floods the window)
Welcome, soft nurse of dreams! (Extinguishes lamp) A
little rest.... Ah, I know _he_ does not sleep.... (She
lies on couch in the moonlight, her eyes closed. Poe
enters by window, gazes at her, and throws up his arms in
gesture of prayer)

Hel. (Looking up, and springing to her feet) Edgar! My God, you
must not come here!

Poe. Is this love's welcome?

Hel. Go! go!

Poe. I was dying out there.

Hel. Leave me!

Poe. Life was passing from my veins. Only your eyes could draw
back the ebbing flood.

Hel. I will light the lamp! (Turns hastily)

Poe. And put out Heaven's! (She drops her hand)

Hel. Go, O go at once!

Poe. Again I am alone! The twin angel who put her hand in mine
is flown!

Hel. Edgar, be calm!

Poe. Calm! With such a look from you burning me as if I were a
devil to be branded? Such words from you hissing like
snakes through my brain?

Hel. O, I beg you--

Poe. I would but touch the hand that soothes my blood--look in
the eyes that wrap my soul in balm--and you cry out as
though some barbarous infidel had trampled you at prayers!

Hel. My father--Roger--they will not understand.

Poe. O, you would bring the world in to say how and when we
shall love! Take note of the hour, and kiss by the c