[ELDRED shakes his head.]

ELDRED He did not seem to wish for life:  as I was struggling on,
              by the light of the moon I saw the stains of blood upon my
              clothes—­he waved his hand, as if it were all useless; and
              I let him sink again to the ground.

ELEANOR Oh that I had been by your side!

ELDRED I tell you his hands and his body were cold—­how could I
                  disturb his last moments? he strove to turn from me as
                  if he wished to settle into sleep.

ELEANOR But, for the stains of blood—­

ELDRED He must have fallen, I fancy, for his head was cut; but I
                  think his malady was cold and hunger.

ELEANOR Oh, Eldred, I shall never be able to look up at this roof
                  in storm or fair but I shall tremble.

ELDRED Is it not enough that my ill stars have kept me abroad
                  to-night till this hour?  I come home, and this is my
                  comfort!

ELEANOR But did he say nothing which might have set you at ease?

ELDRED I thought he grasped my hand while he was muttering
                  something about his Child—­his Daughter—­
       (starting as if he heard a noise). 
                  What is that?

ELEANOR Eldred, you are a father.

ELDRED God knows what was in my heart, and will not curse my son
                  for my sake.

ELEANOR But you prayed by him? you waited the hour of his release?

ELDRED The night was wasting fast; I have no friend; I am spited
                   by the world—­his wound terrified me—­if I had
                   brought him along with me, and he had died in my
                   arms!——­I am sure I heard something breathing—­and
                   this chair!

ELEANOR Oh, Eldred, you will die alone.  You will have nobody to
                   close your eyes—­no hand to grasp your dying hand—­I
                   shall be in my grave.  A curse will attend us all.

ELDRED Have you forgot your own troubles when I was in the
                   dungeon?

ELEANOR And you left him alive?

ELDRED Alive!—­the damps of death were upon him—­he could not
                   have survived an hour.

ELEANOR In the cold, cold night.

ELDRED (in a savage tone)
              Ay, and his head was bare; I suppose you would have had me
              lend my bonnet to cover it.—­You will never rest till I am
              brought to a felon’s end.

ELEANOR Is there nothing to be done? cannot we go to the Convent?

ELDRED Ay, and say at once that I murdered him!

ELEANOR Eldred, I know that ours is the only house upon the Waste;
                  let us take heart; this Man may be rich; and could he
                  be saved by our means, his gratitude may reward us.