....

_Yolanda._ But can leave me so laden here within
This gulf's dishonour? Never!... So return
And pledge him but to wait!
For this Venetian has now, I bode,
Something of evil more,
When once Amaury hears all that has passed.
Return!

_Berengere._ I cannot.

_Yolanda_ (_stung_). Then hear, hear me! I
Too am a woman, and the woman wants,
The beauty and ache and dream and glow and urge
Of an unreckoned love are mine as yours.
I will not lose Amaury; but will tell him
Myself the truth.

_Berengere._ Then--I'll not stay for death,
And wait for shame. But now with Camarin
Will go from here.

_Yolanda._ Mother!

_Berengere._ To some retreat
Away!

_Yolanda._ Where still pursuit would follow! even,
I fear, Amaury's?--
And overtake you though it were as far
As the sea foams, or past the sandy void
Of stricken Africa? It would be vain.
Vain, and I cannot have you. No, but listen----

[_Breaks off seeing_ RENIER, _on the castle
threshold. His look is on her, but he comes
down addressing_ BERENGERE.

_Renier._ She troubles you too much.

_Berengere._ My lord?

_Renier._ Too much.
You cherish her and reap unchastity
For gratitude--unchastity against
Our very son who was betrothed to her.
Yet see her shameless.

_Berengere_ (_dully_). No; I think you wrong her.

[YOLANDA _moves apart._

_Renier._ Nobly you pity! But it will not veil her.
Rather the convent and the crucifix,
Matin and Vesper in a round remote,
And senseless beads, for such.--But what more now
Is she demanding?

_Berengere._ Little.

_Renier._ Not the means
Still to deceive Amaury?

_Berengere._ Renier ... no.

[_Speaks loathly._

But I have a request that, if you grant,
Will lead peace back to us ... and from us draw
This fang of fate.

_Renier._ Ah.

_Berengere._ Yes.

_Renier_ (_slowly_). And we might be
As those that wedded love?

_Berengere._ Perhaps.

_Renier._ That--love!

[_A pause._

Then it shall be, at once.... But