In this deep sorrow, trust, that I am thine
For closer care;--here, is no malady.
[Taking his arm.]

MARMADUKE There, _is_ a malady--
(Striking his heart and forehead.) And here, and here,
A mortal malady.--I am accurst:
All nature curses me, and in my heart
_Thy_ curse is fixed; the truth must be laid bare.
It must be told, and borne. I am the man,
(Abused, betrayed, but how it matters not)
Presumptuous above all that ever breathed,
Who, casting as I thought a guilty Person
Upon Heaven's righteous judgment, did become
An instrument of Fiends. Through me, through me,
Thy Father perished.

IDONEA Perished--by what mischance?

MARMADUKE Beloved!--if I dared, so would I call thee--
Conflict must cease, and, in thy frozen heart,
The extremes of suffering meet in absolute peace.
[He gives her a letter.]

IDONEA (reads)
"Be not surprised if you hear that some signal judgment
has befallen the man who calls himself your father; he is
now with me, as his signature will shew: abstain from
conjecture till you see me.
"HERBERT.
"MARMADUKE."
The writing Oswald's; the signature my Father's:
(Looks steadily at the paper.)
And here is yours,--or do my eyes deceive me?
You have then seen my Father?

MARMADUKE He has leaned
Upon this arm.

IDONEA You led him towards the Convent?

MARMADUKE That Convent was Stone-Arthur Castle. Thither
We were his guides. I on that night resolved
That he should wait thy coming till the day
Of resurrection.

IDONEA Miserable Woman,
Too quickly moved, too easily giving way,
I put denial on thy suit, and hence,
With the disastrous issue of last night,
Thy perturbation, and these frantic words.
Be calm, I pray thee!

MARMADUKE Oswald--

IDONEA Name him not.

[Enter Female Beggar.]

BEGGAR And he is dead!--that Moor--how shall I cross i