Page:Miscellaneous Plays 1.pdf/118

Would thou had'st lifted up my infant form
And dash'd it on the stones! I had not liv'd—
I had not lived to curse thee for thy pains.

COUNTESS ZATERLOO.

And dost thou curse me then?

COUNT ZATERLOO (soften'd).

O no! I do not!

I did not curse thee, mother: was it so?

COUNTESS ZATERLOO.

No, no, thou didst not: yet I have deserv'd—

I was a mother selfish in my fondness;
And with indulgence, senseless and extreme,
Blasted the goodly promise of thy youth.

COUNT ZATERLOO (rising half up alarm'd from his couch).

Hark! there's a noise again! had thou more servants

Coming with errands to thee?—We're discover'd!

COUNTESS ZATERLOO.

Be not so soon alarm'd: it is impossible.

COUNT ZATERLOO.

Is there an inner chamber? lead me there;

(Pointing to a door.)

I cannot rest in this. (Stopping short eagerly as she is leading him out with great difficulty.)

————Thine absence haply

From thine own house, suspicion may create: