ay
with you; let us return, I can help you.

[ELDRED shakes his head.]

ELDRED He did not seem to wish for life: as I was struggling on,
by the light of the moon I saw the stains of blood upon my
clothes--he waved his hand, as if it were all useless; and
I let him sink again to the ground.

ELEANOR Oh that I had been by your side!

ELDRED I tell you his hands and his body were cold--how could I
disturb his last moments? he strove to turn from me as
if he wished to settle into sleep.

ELEANOR But, for the stains of blood--

ELDRED He must have fallen, I fancy, for his head was cut; but I
think his malady was cold and hunger.

ELEANOR Oh, Eldred, I shall never be able to look up at this roof
in storm or fair but I shall tremble.

ELDRED Is it not enough that my ill stars have kept me abroad
to-night till this hour? I come home, and this is my
comfort!

ELEANOR But did he say nothing which might have set you at ease?

ELDRED I thought he grasped my hand while he was muttering
something about his Child--his Daughter--
(starting as if he heard a noise).
What is that?

ELEANOR Eldred, you are a father.

ELDRED God knows what was in my heart, and will not curse my son
for my sake.

ELEANOR But you prayed by him? you waited the hour of his release?

ELDRED The night was wasting fast; I have no friend; I am spited
by the world--his wound terrified me--if I had
brought him along with me, and he had died in my
arms!----I am sure I heard something breathing--and
this chair!

ELEANOR Oh, Eldred, you will die alone. You will have nobody to
close your eyes--no hand to grasp your dying hand--I
shall be in my grave. A curse will attend us all.

ELDRED Have you forgot your own troubles when I was in the
dungeon?

ELEANOR And you left him alive?

ELDRED Alive!--the damps of death were upon him--he could not
have survived an hour.

ELEANOR In the cold, cold night.

ELDRED (in a sa