_Renier._ I will--that you are mad. Yet madder I, if to this murk my brain Were blind.
_Yolanda._ As it will be! in deadlier dark, If you attend me not! And may have destiny you cannot know. But you will heed? For somewhere in you there is tenderness. Once when you chafed in fever and I bore White orange blossoms dewy to your pillow You touched my hand gently, as might a father.
Once on the tower when alone at dusk I sang--I know not why--of lost delights, Of vanished roses that are e'er recalling May to the world, you came and suddenly Lifted my brow up silent to your kiss. Ah, you remember; you will hear me?
_Renier._ No! Though you are cunning.--Thus you wove the mesh About Amaury--till he could not move Beyond you.
_Renier._ For No sake but to o'ersway him with your eyes In secret, thus, and with Your hair that he believes an aureole Brought with you out of Heaven.
_Renier._ So deem you and, my Berengere, I grieve, Desiring much your peace.
_Renier._ Then not! and half I fear--you hear?--it should not. There's midnight in this thing and mystery. Does she not love--Camarin?
_Yolanda_ (_trembling_). Say no more. Be all--all as you will.
_Renier._ That brings you low: But brings to me no light--only again The stumbling in suspicion.
_Renier_ (_with a sudden gleam_). To-morrow then, unless Amaury runs Fitting revenge through Camarin of Paphos, Your lover, you shall clasp him openly Before all of Lusignan.
_Yolanda._ No; no, no! The thought of it is soil!... Rather ... his death!
_Berengere._ My lord, she knows not what she says. The unaccustomed wind of these ill hours Has torn tranquillity from her and reason.
_Yolanda_ (_realising_). Yes, as she says--tranquillity and reason.
_Yolanda_ (_turning, then, to_ BERENGERE). His mood and mien--that tremor in his throat, Unfaltering. I fear him.
_Berengere._ Life is fear. No step was ever taken in the world But from a brink of danger, or in flight From happiness whose air is ever sin. It sickens me.
_Berengere._ Nothing; a pain Here in my breast.
_Yolanda._ And it is all through him Who as a guest came pledged into this house. Came with the chivalry and manly show Of reverence and grace, that he too well Has learnt in cunning lands and used to lure.