_Morgana._ He usually said, 'I hope so.' But one morning he said something more specific.
_Morgana._ I do not know that I ought to tell you.
_Morgana._ He said, 'The chances are against it.' 'What are the odds?' said _Lord Curryfin._ 'Seven to one,' said the doctor. 'It ought not to be so,' said Lord Curryfin, 'for here is a whole Greek chorus against seven vestals.' The doctor said, 'I do not estimate the chances by the mere balance of numbers.'
_Algernon._ He might have said more as to the balance of numbers.
_Morgana._ He might have said more, that the seven outweighed the one.
_Morgana._ It would be much for the one to say that the balance was even.
_Algernon._ But how if the absentee himself had been weighed against another in that one's own balance?
_Morgana._ One to one promises at least more even weight
_Algernon._ I would not have it so. Pray, forgive me.
_Algernon._ I wish to say, and I do not well know how, without seeming to assume what I have no right to assume, and then I must have double cause to ask your forgiveness.
_Morgana._ Shall I imagine what you wish to say, and say it for you?
_Algernon._ You would relieve me infinitely, if you imagine justly.
_Morgana._ You may begin by saying with Achilles,
My mind is troubled, like a fountain stirred; And I myself see not the bottom of it.{ 1}
_Algernon._ I think I do see it more clearly.
_Morgana._ You may next say, I live an enchanted life. I have been in danger of breaking the spell; it has once more bound me with sevenfold force; I was in danger of yielding to another attraction; I went a step too far in all but declaring it; I do not know how to make a decent retreat.
_Algernon._ Oh! no, no; nothing like that.
_Morgana._ Then there is a third thing you may say; but before I say that for you, you must promise to make no reply, not even a monosyllable; and not to revert to the subject for four times seven days. You hesitate.
_Algernon._ It seems as if my fate were trembling in the balance.
Morgana, You must give me the promise I have asked for.
_Morgana._ Repeat it then, word for word.
_Algernon._ To listen to you in silence; not to say a syllable in reply; not to return to the subject for four times seven days.
_Morgana._ Then you may say, I have fallen in love; very irrationally--(_he was about to exclaim, but she placed her finger on her lips_)--very irrationally; but I cannot help it. I fear I must yield to my destiny. I will try to free myself from all obstacles; I will, if I can, offer my hand where I have given my heart. And this I will do, if I ever do, at the end of four times seven days: if not then, never.