wouldst thou?

Page. My master bid me bring these flowers and crave thee to accept them
lady.

Leonore. Bear him my thanks, and tell him that his gift is truly
welcome. [_Exit_ Page.] These are the blossoms he was gathering but now
upon the balcony; he hath sent the sweetest and the fairest [_a letter
falls from the nosegay_]. But what is here? He hath never sent me aught
like this before [_opens and reads the letter_].

Dearest Lady,--Wilt thou pardon the bold words I here address
to thee, and forgive me if I grieve one on whom I would bestow
only the truest joy. In giving peace to thy heart I have lost
mine own. I was thy guide and comforter, and soon, unknown to
thee, thy lover. I love thee, Leonore, fondly and truly; and
here I ask, wilt thou accept the offering of a heart that will
forever cherish thee. If thou canst grant this blessed boon,
fling from the casement the white rose I send thee; but if thou
canst not accept my love, forgive me for avowing it, and drop
the cypress bough I have twined about the rose. I will not pain
thee to refuse in words,--the mournful token is enough. Ask
thine own heart if thou, who hast loved Louis, can feel aught
save friendship for the unknown, nameless stranger, who through
life and death is ever
Thy loving Adrian.

Oh, how shall I reply to this,--how blight a love so tender and so true?
I have longed to show my gratitude, to prove how I have revered this
noble friend. The hour has come when I may make his happiness, and prove
my trust. And yet my heart belongs to Louis, and I cannot love another.
Adrian was his friend; he loved him, and confided me to him. Nobly hath
he fulfilled that trust, and where could I find a truer friend than he
who hath saved me from danger and from death, and now gives me the power
to gladden and to bless his life. Adrian, if thou wilt accept a sister's
love and friendship, they shall be thine. Louis, forgive me if I wrong
thee; for though I yield my hand, my heart is thine forever. This rose,
Adrian, to thee; this mournful cypress shall be mine in memory of my
blighted hopes [_goes to the_ _window and looks out_]. See! he is
waiting yonder by the fountain for the token that shall bring him joy or
sorrow. Thou noble friend, thy brave, true heart shall grieve no longer,
for thus will Leonore repay the debt of gratitude she owes thee [_flings
the