MR. TODD
DELHOMME. Of you—of thee. How difficult is the English
language to express subtle differences!
You must have seen, Miss Ossory-
EUPHEMIA [duly]. I have seen nothing.
DELHOMME. MayI speak?
EUPHEMIA. What is this? Oh!
DELHOMME. I need not tell you, I see. My unspoken
sympathy and devotion
EUPHEMIA. Spare me, I pray you.
DELHOMME. I must speak. Mademoiselle, I am blessed
in loving you. I offer you the sympathy and devotion of a
lifetime.
EUPHEMIA. I beg you to spare me. It is impossible.
DELHOMME. It is the truth—it is necessary—I should
kill myself if you refused.
EUPHEMIA. My father
DELHOMME. Your respected father is my warmest advocate.
EUPHEMIA. You distress me, sir. It is impossible.
DELHOMME. Ah, fairest of maidens, well I know your
English coyness and modesty! [Taking her hand.] Ah, give
me this pure hand for good, for ever! This hand which has
been ever open to the misery of the poor, ever closed to box
the enemies of your country !
EUPHEMIA. It is not mine!
DELHOMME. I do not understand. Iam too worn a slave
in the world’s market for my fettered soul to grasp your inno-
cence. Ah! you are vowed to Our Lady, perhaps? Yet,
believe me:
EUPHEMIA. Oh, sir, you distress me—indeed you distress
me!
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