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"The gift of one most dear."—Of one most dear!
Thou didst not it give to her?

MALCOLM.

No; nor thou!

MARIAN.

Hush, hush! words of ungentle rivalry

Do ill become this solemn place. Be calm.
See! Alice in the cabinet hath found
That which the vision'd form so earnestly
Directed her to search for.

[Alice, returning to the front with a small box in her hands, places it on a table, the rest gathering eagerly round her, and endeavours to open it.]

ALICE.

I know this box; alas! I know it well,

And many a time have open'd it; but now——

PROVOST.

Thy hands have lost all power, thou tremblest so.

(Taking it from her and from Graham, who attempts to assist her.)

Nay, friend, thou tremblest also: I will do it.

(Opens the box, and takes out a written paper.)

OMNES.

What is it?

PROVOST.

Give me time to look upon it.