_Bernard_. Stop him? I'd as soon Have faced a tiger with bare hands. 'Tis easy In passion to meet passion; but it is A daunting thing to look on, when the blood Is going its wonted pace through your own veins. Besides, this man had something in his face, With its live eyes, close lips, nostrils distended, A self-reliance, and a self-command, That would go right up to its goal, in spite Of any _no_ from any man. I would As soon have stopped a cannon-ball as him. Over the porter, lying where he fell, He strode, and up the stairs. I heard him go-- I listened as it were a ghost that walked With pallid spectre-child upon its arm-- Along the corridors, from door to door, Opening and shutting. But at last a sting Of sudden fear lest he should find the lady, And mischief follow, shot me up the stairs. I met him at the top, quiet as at first; The fire had faded from his eyes; the child Held in her tiny hand a lady's glove Of delicate primrose. When he reached the hall, He turned him to the porter, who had scarce Recovered what poor wits he had, and saying, "The count Lamballa waited on lord Seaford," Turned him again, and strode into the street.
_1st G_. Have you learned anything of what it meant?
_Bernard_. Of course he had suspicions of his wife: For all the gifts a woman has to give, I would not rouse such blood. And yet to see The gentle fairy child fall kissing him, And, with her little arms grasping his neck, Peep anxious round into his shaggy face, As they went down the street!--it almost made A fool of me.--I'd marry for such a child!
SCENE XII.--_A by-street_. JULIAN _walking home very weary. The child in his arms, her head lying on his shoulder. An_ Organ-boy _with a monkey, sitting on a door-step. He sings in a low voice_.
_Lily_. No, dear father; I do not like monkeys.
Wenn ich höre dich mir nah', Stimmen in den Blättern da; Wenn ich fühl' dich weit und breit, Vater, das ist Seligkeit.
Nun die Sonne liebend scheint, Mich mit dir und All vereint; Biene zu den Blumen fliegt, Seel' an Lieb' sich liebend schmiegt.
So mich völlig lieb du hast, Daseyn ist nicht eine Last; Wenn ich seh' und höre dich, Das genügt mir inniglich.
_Lily_. It sounds so curious. What is he saying, father?