_Ard._ To starve ... is that so terrible? 'Tis but One way of dying.
_Vig._ Dying?
_Char._ Say no more.
The morrow's dawn shall light my way to Oswald.
_Bion._ You'll go to him? Then death!
_Vig._ [_To Ardia_] See what you do?
_Ard._ Forgive me. [_Runs to her father and clings to him_]
Now! Bind me to Banissat.
_Char._ Nay, thou art free.
_Bion._ [_To Ardia_] Our lives shall thank you.
_Vig._ Thanks?
You speak her part.
[_Ardia leaves her father and moves to edge of parapet_]
_Bion._ [_Following her_] Dost know a better way?
_Ard._ I pray you, leave me.
_Vig._ Princess of Avesta!
_Ard._ Your supper waits.
_Vig._ [_Starting right_] Come, brother!
_Char._ Though I've supped, I'll sit with you, my sons. Discourse is ever The best dish at the board.
_Bion._ We thank you, sir.
[_Exeunt Biondel, Vigard, Charilus, right_]
_Ard._ And am I wooed and won? Dreams of a dream, Where are ye now?... A lover with no song.
No carols stealing sweetness from the moon; No trembling hand to drop a morning rose Where I may walk.
[_Takes a rose from her bosom and casts it away_]
No rose.... no Vairdelan!
[_Re-enter Gaina_]
_Gaina._ Here, mistress? Dearie dear, a-weeping?
_Ard._ No.
_Gaina._ Say you were, 'twere a better sight than this fetching of dry sighs. They 'most take the skin of a woe that a little tear-water would bring up easy enough.
_Ard._ O, Gaina, Gaina, did you see my mother buried?
_Gaina._ Ay, 'twas a sweet grave we laid her in over in Corinth. You'll never make as pretty a corpse, my dear.
_Ard._ Was I there?
_Gaina._ Troth, you were, and trouble enough you gave me. You wanted to climb into the coffin and go to sleep too, you said.
_Ard._ O, had you buried me with her I should not have seen this day!
_Gaina._ Most like you wouldn't. Come, honey dove, come to your room and brighten yourself a bit. There's the new veil just begging to be looked at. I'll put it on you, and----
_Ard._ No, I don't want you. [_Going, right_]
_Gaina._ O, ho, I can read his name you do want, and not kill a bird for it either.
_Ard._ [_Turning_] Who, magpie? Who?
_Gaina._ Your eyes may save my tongue if they squint sou'west.
_Ard._ Is he coming?
_Gaina._ Who, my cuckoo? Who?
[_Bertrand enters left. Ardia starts off right_]
_Ber._ Ardia!
_Ard._ [_Weakly, pausing at her door_] Vairdelan....
_Ber._ Will not you stay?
_Ard._ I will return. [_Exit_]
_Ber._ Your mistress is not well?
_Gaina._ You've eyes, sir.
_Ber._ This fear of Oswald----
_Gaina._ Her trouble's nearer home, sir.
_Ber._ Her father----
_Gaina._ Nay, it wears no beard, though it may in time.
_Ber._ What troubles her, dear Gaina?