52
THE SEPERATION: A TRAGEDY.
starting as he looks upon it, staggers back some paces, till he is arrested by the pillar of the bed, against which he leans in a kind of stupor, letting the picture fall from his hands.)
Merciful God! he's guilty!—am I thus?
Heaven lend me strength! I'll be in doubt no longer. (Running up to him, and clasping her hands together.)
Garcio, a fearful thing is in my mind, And curse me not that I have harbour'd it,
If that it be not so.—The wretched Baldwin,
Upon his deathbed, in his frenzied ravings,
Accused thee as the murderer of my brother:
O pardon me that such a monstrous tale
Had any power to move me!—Look upon me!
Say that thou didst it not, and I'll believe thee.
(A pause.)
Thou dost not speak. What fearful look is that?
That blanching cheek! that quiv'ring lip!—O horrible! (Catching hold of his clothes.)
Open thy lips! relieve me from this misery! Say that thou didst not do it. (He remains silent, making a rueful motion of the head.)
O God! thou didst, thou didst! (Holds up her hands to heaven in despair, and then, recoiling from him to a distant part of the chamber, stands gazing on him with horror. Garcio, after great agitation, begins to approach her irresolutely.)
