A Blot in the 'Scutcheon, page 28 by Robert Browning
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lant that has night by night
Admittance to your chamber?
[After a pause.]
Then, his name!
Till now, I only had a thought for you:
But now,--his name!
MILDRED. Thorold, do you devise
Fit expiation for my guilt, if fit
There be! 'Tis nought to say that I'll endure
And bless you,--that my spirit yearns to purge
Her stains off in the fierce renewing fire:
But do not plunge me into other guilt!
Oh, guilt enough! I cannot tell his name.
TRESHAM. Then judge yourself! How should I act? Pronounce!
MILDRED. Oh, Thorold, you must never tempt me thus!
To die here in this chamber by that sword
Would seem like punishment: so should I glide,
Like an arch-cheat, into extremest bliss!
'Twere easily arranged for me: but you--
What would become of you?
TRESHAM. And what will now
Become of me? I'll hide your shame and mine
>From every eye; the dead must heave their hearts
Under the marble of our chapel-floor;
They cannot rise and blast you. You may wed
Your paramour above our mother's tomb;
Our mother cannot move from 'neath your foot.
We too will somehow wear this one day out:
But with to-morrow hastens here--the Earl!
The youth without suspicion. Face can come
>From Heaven and heart from... whence proceed such hearts?
I have dispatched last night at your command
A missive bidding him present himself
To-morrow--here--thus much is said; the rest
Is understood as if 'twere written down--
"His suit finds favor in your eyes." Now dictate
This morning's letter that shall countermand
Last night's--do dictate that!
MILDRED. But, Thorold--if
I will receive him as I said?
TRESHAM. The Earl?
MILDRED. I will receive him.
TRESHAM [starting up]. Ho there! Guendolen!
GUENDOLEN and AUSTIN enter
And, Austin, you are welcome, too! Look there!
The woman there!
AUSTIN and GUENDOLEN. How? Mildred?
TRESHAM. Mildred once!