George MacDonald - The poetical works of George MacDonald in two volumes — Volume 1

Host .
Thank you, sir.

Stephen
( to the Hostess).
And so this man, you say, was here until
The night the count was murdered: did he leave
Before or after that?

Hostess .
I cannot tell;
He left, I know, before it was discovered.
In the middle of the storm, like one possessed,
He rushed into the street, half tumbling me
Headlong down stairs, and never came again.
He had paid his bill that morning, luckily;
So joy go with him! Well, he was an odd one!

Stephen .
What was he like, fair Hostess?

Hostess .
Tall and dark,
And with a lowering look about his brows.
He seldom spoke, but, when he did, was civil.
One queer thing was, he always wore his hat,
Indoors as well as out. I dare not say
He murdered Count Nembroni; but it was strange
He always sat at that same window there,
And looked into the street. 'Tis not as if
There were much traffic in the village now;
These are changed times; but I have seen the day—

Stephen .
Excuse me; you were saying that the man
Sat at the window—

Hostess .
Yes; even after dark
He would sit on, and never call for lights.
The first night, I brought candles, as of course;
He let me set them on the table, true;
But soon's my back was turned, he put them out.

Stephen .
Where is the lady?

Hostess .
That's the strangest thing
Of all the story: she has disappeared,
As well as he. There lay the count, stone-dead,
White as my apron. The whole house was empty,
Just as I told you.

Stephen .
Has no search been made?

Host .
The closest search; a thousand pieces offered
For any information that should lead
To the murderer's capture. I believe his brother,
Who is his heir, they say, is still in town,
Seeking in vain for some intelligence.

Stephen .
'Tis very odd; the oddest thing I've heard
For a long time. Send me a pen and ink;
I have to write some letters.

Hostess (rising ).
Thank you, sir,
For your kind entertainment.

Lilia . How changed he is! Yet he looks very noble.

Julian .
My Lilia, will you go to England with me?

Lilia .
Julian, my father!

Julian .
Not without his leave.
He says, God bless us both.

Lilia .
Leave him in prison?

Julian .
No, Lilia; he's at liberty and safe,
And far from this ere now.

Lilia .
You have done this,
My noble Julian! I will go with you
To sunset, if you will. My father gone!
Julian, there's none to love me now but you.
You will love me, Julian?—always?

Julian .
I but fear
That your heart, Lilia, is not big enough
To hold the love wherewith my heart would fill it.

Lilia .
I know why you think that; and I deserve it.
But try me, Julian. I was very silly.
I could not help it. I was ill, you know;
Or weak at least. May I ask you, Julian,
How your arm is to-day?

Julian .
Almost well, child.
Twill leave an ugly scar, though, I'm afraid.

Lilia .
Never mind that, if it be well again.

Julian .
I do not mind it; but when I remember
That I am all yours, then I grudge that scratch
Or stain should be upon me—soul, body, yours.
And there are more scars on me now than I
Should like to make you own, without confession.

Lilia .
My poor, poor Julian! never think of it;

I will but love you more. I thought you had
Already told me suffering enough;
But not the half, it seems, of your adventures.
You have been a soldier!

Julian .
I have fought, my Lilia.
I have been down among the horses' feet;
But strange to tell, and harder to believe,
Arose all sound, unmarked with bruise, or blood
Save what I lifted from the gory ground.

My wounds are not of such.

No. Penance, Lilia;
Such penance as the saints of old inflicted
Upon their quivering flesh. Folly, I know;
As a lord would exalt himself, by making
His willing servants into trembling slaves!
Yet I have borne it.

Lilia
( laying her hand on his arm ).
Ah, alas, my Julian,
You have been guilty!

Julian .
Not what men call guilty,
Save it be now; now you will think I sin.
Alas, I have sinned! but not in this I sin.—
Lilia, I have been a monk.

Lilia .
A monk?

I thought—

Julian,—I thought you said…. did you not say…?

I thought you said …

I was to be your wife!

Julian
( speaking low and in pain ).
And so I did.