ROSA.

England--you say he has gone to England? You tell me he has deserted me? After what he said before the synagogue? I say it's a lie--a preposterous lie! It isn't true that I am only his mistress--it's a lie!

AARON.

I'll tell you what _is_ true; after this escapade with you he'll have to prove himself a man before he marries my daughter.

ROSA.

He can't marry your daughter! He's mine! O, G.o.d, what does this mean? Can't you find him? Can't you let me see him? He would have written to me--I know he would! Sachel, let me go to him. Sachel, tell me where he is!

AARON.

What could Sachel do, even if he could reach the boy? After seven days, at the very moment Sachel has been persuaded to accept all this--to treat you as his daughter--here slinks Rafael along the ca.n.a.l and up through the warehouse and whispers that he has given you up! Then he wheedles his father out of more money than I would give ten sons, and then boards a s.h.i.+p for England! [_To SACHEL._] Do you think I'll see my daughter marry such a man? If he wants to return next year on the hope of marrying Rebecca, you tell him to remain in England!

ROSA.

It's a lie! He couldn't desert me. He's a man of soul--of honour! It isn't true. My G.o.d, it can't be true!

AARON.

You'd better find a place to sleep, and then compose yourself to make the best of it. I have a friend in the country who will receive you. With the money that Rafael has persuaded his father to give you, begin life over again. Come! [_Touches her._

ROSA.

No, I will not come! It is a lie. You try to convince me because you know I will kill myself--because you----

AARON.

Has any one tried to convince you? Sachel is the only one to gain by your going. Has he tried to convince you?

ROSA.

I know--I know--O G.o.d! Sachel, Sachel, as you fear your G.o.d, swear to me that he has deserted me! Swear to me that he wants to marry Rebecca!

SACHEL.

I--I----

AARON.

Shall _I_ take an oath, on the Law of Moses, that is fastened to the lintel there?

ROSA.

I will not believe _you_ on any oath! I will only believe Sachel--Sachel, who could not deceive me--[_turns to SACHEL_]--because you know that if you make me go away and kill myself Rafael will hate you, for ever and ever! Sachel, Sachel, can't we get him back? I'll do anything--anything. I'll become a Jewess if you'll get him back! Sachel, Sachel!

[_Cries hysterically._

AARON.

The poor girl wants your oath. That's a simple matter. [_To SACHEL._] There is no reason why I should stay here to witness this.

Good-night!

[_Exit by the bridge._

SACHEL.

Such as you to kill yourself--h'm! Now take your money and be off!

I'm going to lock my door.

ROSA.

_You_ haven't said the marriage was false! _You_ haven't said he went away! _You_ haven't said he wants to many her--you dare not! It can't be true! It _can't_ be true!

SACHEL.

Dare not--dare not. What do you mean? You thankless hussy! You wreck my home, you rob me of my son, and then when he has gone and I offer you money to leave me in peace you dare to say I lie!

ROSA.

No, I did not say _you_ lied, because _you_ have not said that he is deserting me! You will not! You dare not! He loves me; he is coming back! I will stay until he comes!

SACHEL.

He wants to be rid of you. He has gone to England. He wants Aaron to----

ROSA.

Sachel, Sachel, think what you are saying! Tell me he is dead--tell me anything but that he's left me! O, could your son dishonour me?

Think what you are saying! No, no--not unless you swear it in the sight of G.o.d! Sachel, Sachel--[_as he puts hand on the lintel_]--don't swear to it--[_on her knees_]--don't swear to it!

SACHEL.

[_With a burst of rage._] G.o.d!--Hear me then. You have been nothing but Rafael's mistress! Rafael has deserted you! Rafael wants to marry Rebecca! Rafael has sailed from Amsterdam! By the sacred Law of Moses, by all that is holy in the sight of G.o.d, I swear it! I swear it! Now go! Take your money and go!

[_She goes towards the ca.n.a.l._

ROSA.

And so--and so--Dear G.o.d--dear G.o.d!

SACHEL.

Where are you? Here, take it--take it! Where are you going?

ROSA.