WILFRED Nay, but I grieve that we should part. This Stranger, For such he is--

MARMADUKE Your busy fancies, Wilfred, Might tempt me to a smile; but what of him?

WILFRED You know that you have saved his life.

MARMADUKE I know it.

WILFRED And that he hates you!--Pardon me, perhaps That word was hasty.

MARMADUKE Fy! no more of it.

WILFRED Dear Master! grat.i.tude's a heavy burden To a proud Soul.--n.o.body loves this Oswald-- Yourself, you do not love him.

MARMADUKE I do more, I honour him. Strong feelings to his heart Are natural; and from no one can be learnt More of man's thoughts and ways than his experience Has given him power to teach: and then for courage And enterprise--what perils hath he shunned?

What obstacles hath he failed to overcome?

Answer these questions, from our common knowledge, And be at rest.

WILFRED Oh, Sir!

MARMADUKE Peace, my good Wilfred; Repair to Liddesdale, and tell the Band I shall be with them in two days, at farthest.

WILFRED May He whose eye is over all protect you!

[Exit.]

[Enter OSWALD (a bunch of plants in his hand)]

OSWALD This wood is rich in plants and curious simples.

MARMADUKE (looking at them) The wild rose, and the poppy, and the nightshade: Which is your favorite, Oswald?

OSWALD That which, while it is Strong to destroy, is also strong to heal-- [Looking forward.]

Not yet in sight!--We'll saunter here awhile; They cannot mount the hill, by us unseen.

MARMADUKE (a letter in his hand) It is no common thing when one like you Performs these delicate services, and therefore I feel myself much bounden to you, Oswald; 'Tis a strange letter this!--You saw her write it?

OSWALD And saw the tears with which she blotted it.

MARMADUKE And nothing less would satisfy him?

OSWALD No less; For that another in his Child's affection Should hold a place, as if 'twere robbery, He seemed to quarrel with the very thought.

Besides, I know not what strange prejudice Is rooted in his mind; this Band of ours, Which you've collected for the n.o.blest ends, Along the confines of the Esk and Tweed To guard the Innocent--he calls us "Outlaws"; And, for yourself, in plain terms he a.s.serts This garb was taken up that indolence Might want no cover, and rapacity Be better fed.

MARMADUKE Ne'er may I own the heart That cannot feel for one, helpless as he is.

OSWALD Thou know'st me for a Man not easily moved, Yet was I grievously provoked to think Of what I witnessed.

MARMADUKE This day will suffice To end her wrongs.

OSWALD But if the blind Man's tale Should _yet_ be true?

MARMADUKE Would it were possible!

Did not the Soldier tell thee that himself, And others who survived the wreck, beheld The Baron Herbert perish in the waves Upon the coast of Cyprus?

OSWALD Yes, even so, And I had heard the like before: in sooth The tale of this his quondam Barony Is cunningly devised; and, on the back Of his forlorn appearance, could not fail To make the proud and vain his tributaries, And stir the pulse of lazy charity.

The seignories of Herbert are in Devon; We, neighbours of the Esk and Tweed; 'tis much The Arch-Impostor--

MARMADUKE Treat him gently, Oswald: Though I have never seen his face, methinks, There cannot come a day when I shall cease To love him. I remember, when a Boy Of scarcely seven years' growth, beneath the Elm That casts its shade over our village school, 'Twas my delight to sit and hear Idonea Repeat her Father's terrible adventures, Till all the band of play-mates wept together; And that was the beginning of my love.

And, through all converse of our later years, An image of this old Man still was present, When I had been most happy. Pardon me If this be idly spoken.

OSWALD See, they come, Two Travellers!

MARMADUKE (points) The woman [1] is Idonea.

OSWALD And leading Herbert.

MARMADUKE We must let them pa.s.s-- This thicket will conceal us.