under. Though her power
Can pen me here a prisoner, yet I know
That I have pierced her heart. Oh, it is sweet
To be revenged, and know that vengeance brings
Victory in its train! If I had power
To make Asander jealous of this wonder,
Then all were easy. But I know no means
Whereby from this strait prison I might sow
Suspicion of her who has never given
A shadow of cause.

_Attendant._ The Lord Asander comes.

_Enter_ ASANDER.

_Asan._ Lady, I grieve that thou art in this place,
And fain would set thee free. Tell me what cause
Has brought thee hither.

_Ire._ Ask me not, my lord;
I cannot tell thee.

_Asan._ Nay, but know I must,
To plead thy cause.

_Ire._ 'Twas too great love of thee,
The love which thou didst spurn, that brought me here.

_Asan._ But how should that be so?

_Ire._ The Lady Gycia,
Holding thee to thy promise that thou wouldst not
Go hence--no, not to close thy father's eyes--
Took umbrage that I spoke with scant respect
Of such unreasoning and unnatural bond
As that which she approves.

_Asan._ Then am I grateful
For thy good-will, and grieve that it should bring thee
To pine a prisoner here, and will essay
What reason can to free thee.

_Ire._ Thanks, my lord,
I would that _thou_ wert free. I knew the King,
And did receive much fatherly affection
From that most reverend man. I grieve to hear
That he lies sick, and would rejoice to tend him
As if I were a daughter.

_Asan._ Gentle lady,
No other voice of sympathy than thine
Have I yet heard in Cherson, and I thank thee
For thy good-will.

_Ire._ 'Tis always thine, my lord,
And more, though I should end my wretched days
In prison for thy sake.

_Asan._ I thank thee, lady,
And fain would ask of thee a greater kindness:
I would that thou wouldst tell me of thy brother.

_Ire._ My brother Theodorus? What of him?

_Asan._ This only. Did he, ere I knew my wife,
Bear towards her a great though innocent love?

_Ire._ A great though innocent love? Ay, a great love,
For certain. Spoke she not of it to thee?

_Asan._ No word!

_Ire._ Ah! yet, maybe, 'twas innocent--Nay,
I believe it, though she spoke not of it,
And 'tis the wont of wives to la