by?
Here's Austin waiting patiently your will!
One spirit to command, and one to love
And to believe in it and do its best,
Poor as that is, to help it--why, the world
Has been won many a time, its length and breadth,
By just such a beginning!

MILDRED. I believe
If once I threw my arms about your neck
And sunk my head upon your breast, that I
Should weep again.

GUENDOLEN. Let go her hand now, Austin!
Wait for me. Pace the gallery and think
On the world's seemings and realities,
Until I call you.
[AUSTIN goes.]

MILDRED. No--I cannot weep.
No more tears from this brain--no sleep--no tears!
O Guendolen, I love you!

GUENDOLEN. Yes: and "love"
Is a short word that says so very much!
It says that you confide in me.

MILDRED. Confide!

GUENDOLEN. Your lover's name, then! I've so much to learn,
Ere I can work in your behalf!

MILDRED. My friend,
You know I cannot tell his name.

GUENDOLEN. At least
He is your lover? and you love him too?

MILDRED. Ah, do you ask me that,--but I am fallen
So low!

GUENDOLEN. You love him still, then?

MILDRED. My sole prop
Against the guilt that crushes me! I say,
Each night ere I lie down, "I was so young--
I had no mother, and I loved him so!"
And then God seems indulgent, and I dare
Trust him my soul in sleep.

GUENDOLEN. How could you let us
E'en talk to you about Lord Mertoun then?

MILDRED. There is a cloud around me.

GUENDOLEN. But you said
You would receive his suit in spite of this?

MILDRED. I say there is a cloud...

GUENDOLEN. No cloud to me!
Lord Mertoun and your lover are the same!

MILDRED. What maddest fancy...

GUENDOLEN [calling aloud.] Austin! (spare your pains--
When I have got a truth, that truth I keep)--

MILDRED. By all you love, sweet Guendolen, forbear!
Have I confided in you...

GUENDOLEN. Just for this!
Austin!--Oh, not to guess it at the first!
But I did guess it--that is, I divined,
Felt by an instinct how it was: w