O, I was mad to come here!... She will never forgive me!
(Falls on the couch and lies motionless. After a moment
enter Mrs. Delormis.)

Mrs. Del.
Where is the wild man?... Oh, he has fainted! The
wine! (Goes to the table and pours wine)

Poe. Oh!

(Mrs. Delormis turns to him. He rises ceremoniously, with
effort) Well?

Mrs. Del.
Well, indeed! Here I am to your rescue, and you reward
me with a 'well' (mimicking) up to ceiling.

Poe. What are they saying to her? I must go to her! I must!

Mrs. Del.
Must _not_! Listen! (Grasps his arm to detain him)

Poe. (Releasing his arm and bowing stiffly) Mrs. Delormis.

Mrs. D. (Copying his manner) Mr. Poe!... Mr. Truelord has not
yet been roused. No one will wake him unless you choose
to do it yourself by increasing the hubbub. Roger defends
you to Mrs. Truelord--says you are ill--out of your
senses--and other complimentary things. Both of them
are soothing and mothering Helen, and--(dropping into
tenderness) I wanted you to have a little mothering, too--

Poe. Do you really want to help me?

Mrs. Del.
O, if you would only let me be your friend!

Poe. You may! Stay here with me till she comes! I know she will
come. She can not let me go without one word. It would be
too terrible. She can not! Stay till she comes. Talk to
me. Do not let me think!

Mrs. Del.
I'll make myself comfortable then, and we'll have a
good chat. You know I've been told that I talk my best
between two and three in the morning.

(Takes pillow from couch to make herself cosy in chair)

Poe. Do not touch that pillow!

Mrs. Del. (Dropping into chair) Well!

Poe. Do not sit in that chair!

Mrs. Del. (Rising) May I stand on the carpet, or shall I take
off my slippers before the burning bush of your love?

Poe. Forgive me! Don't you see that I have lost her?

Mrs. Del.
Well, you _were_ out of your senses to come here and
think Helen would understand it.

Poe. I was not! She did understand! The vision that led me to
her feet was as clear as an archangel's! It is now that I
am mad, and see everything gross and darkened with earth
and flesh! (Overcom