..

Poe. Not lost. See how she sleeps! She is better. I know she is
better.

Mrs. C. Since you came. We will hope so, dear.

Poe. If she would only speak to us! O, why does she not speak?
Not once to-day.

Mrs. C. She is very weak, my son.

Poe. I could bear it so long as she could tell us there was no
pain ... but now she only looks at us.... Oh--

Mrs. C. You will control yourself for her sake.

Poe. Yes, yes, for her sake.

Mrs. C. It will take her last breath to see you disturbed.

Poe. I know! I know! Have no fear, mother. I am strong now.

Vir. Edgar! (He flies to the bed)

Poe. My darling!

Vir. I am better, dear. Mamma! (Mrs. Clemm goes to her) I feel
so rested, mamma.

Poe. I told you! She is better! And you will sit up a little
now, dear? I will carry you to the fire.

Mrs. C. My boy!

Poe. O, mother, don't you see how well she is? Look at her
cheeks--her eyes--how beautiful!

Vir. (Smiling) Hear him, mamma! How proud he is! He must always
have it that his wife is beautiful.

Poe. But it is so true, my dearest!

Vir. Let me believe it, for it is sweet to think that I have
been that, at least, to you.

Poe. O, my darling, you have been everything!

Vir. You think so now, dear, and I love to hear you say it.

Poe. And you will get well for me?

Vir. No, O no! That would bring all your troubles back. You
will live a great life, Edgar, when you have left this
little care-bundle of a wife behind you.

Poe. O, don't, Virginia! I shall do nothing without you!

Vir. You will do everything. I am the wise one now, Edgar. And,
dear, while I can talk ... I must ask you ... must beg you
... I must hear you say that you forgive me.

Poe. Forgive you!

Vir. Yes, dear. I was so young ... I thought I could help you
... and so I let you marry me. I did not know. I thought
because I loved you so much that I could make you happy.
But women who can only love are not the women who help.
They must be wise and strong too, and oh, so many other
wonderful things. If they are not, then all the love only
hurts and makes things go wrong.

Poe. O, little angel!

Vir. Yes ... little angel ... when I ought