_Vig._ And speed you too! High stroke, this anxious hour To journey in his care!

_Bion._ Yet shielded by Our father's dignity.

_Ard._ How you mistake!

He does not woo me!

_Vig._ Now the modest foot!

But we have seen the other. Trust us, sister.

_Bion._ Mistake? I now recall his looks, his sighs, As from a love immured,--his songs, too warm For piety's cool breath,--and more that tends To happy proof.

_Vig._ How dare he woo thee when Mere Vairdelan? This blade had stood between!

_Bion._ Such beggar suit would then have cheapened thee Beneath a prince's wearing. [_Leading her to door, right_]

No drooping now!

The way lies clear.

_Ard._ O, brother----

_Bion._ Get you in.

_Ard._ Will you not listen?

_Bion._ Leave your hope with us, Your secret is our own. [_Closes door upon her_]

_Vig._ Here's change of sky.

You trust Lord Bertrand?

_Bion._ That is now our course.

Our father will go down.

_Vig._ What's in your heart?

I'll open mine.

_Bion._ I beg you do.

_Vig._ Ramoor And Ilon now are crownless. Suli's prince Must have new governors.

_Bion._ But Christian ones.

That bars our way.

_Vig._ The Prophet's cloak fits well With any fortune.

_Bion._ Ah....

_Vig._ We've but to change The color, not the cut.

_Bion._ [_Listening_] He comes!

_Vig._ We'll speak.

_Bion._ Not yet, my Vigard. Let this fruiting hope Swell to a golden fall. Wait with the sun.

No green and forward plucking.

[_Re-enter Ardia_]

_Ard._ Hear me, brothers----

_Bion._ Not now. The prince!

[_Re-enter Bertrand, right_]

_Ber._ I pray your answer, friends.

Let us go down unhindered, and my oath I leave with you, a hostage sure as though With iron bonds you held my breathing form: For in that oath I leave no treasure less Than honor, knighthood, and what in me moves Deathless to G.o.d.

_Bion._ It is enough. Our guest Is free.

_Ber._ Once more my brothers!

_Bion._ Know us ever By that dear name.

_Vig._ And this deep oath you take For Charilus' sake, is sworn too for our sister?

_Ber._ For Ardia? No, my lord.

_Vig._ Do you say no?

_Ber._ I must so answer you. For the fell harm That touches her would of myself make end.

My honor so impeached would cease to breathe The air itself made foul. I could not come Having no life to bring me.

_Bion._ We believe you.

Go with our father. Take our sister too.

And we upon these heights shall pray, as you On Suli plain, that Charilus may see His sons again.

_Ber._ Come, let him know! This wished Obedience will give him sleep.

[_Exeunt Bertrand, Vigard, and Biondel, right rear_]

_Ard._ Is 't best That Truth be dumb? I'll watch this weaving Fate, And feed her web with silence.... Oh, with hope!

[_Curtain_]

ACT II