Page:MaryTudorHugo.djvu/81

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MARY TUDOR

heart. Gilbert, if you know what effect those words of yours have had upon me! They are like an unexpected ray of sunlight in my heart! Oh! pray listen to me! If I dared to go near you, if I dared to touch your garments, if I dared to take your hand in mine, if I dared to raise my eyes to you and to Heaven, as of old, do you know what I would say to you, on my knees, weeping at your feet, with sobs in my throat, and in my heart the joy that angels know? I would say: "Gilbert, I love you!"

Gilbert [seizing her in his arms, in a frenzy of passion.]You love me!

Jane.Yes, I love you!

Gilbert.You love me!—She loves me, O my God! 'Tis true, 'tis she who says it to me; 'twas her lips that spoke. God in Heaven!

Jane.My Gilbert!

Gilbert.You have made everything ready for my escape, you say! Quickly! quickly! Life! I long for life! Jane loves me! This vault rests on my head and crushes me. I need air. I am suffocating here! Let us fly at once! Come, Jane! I want to live! I am loved!

Jane.Not yet. We must have a boat. We must await the darkness. But have no fear, you are saved. Within an hour we shall be outside these walls; the Queen is at the Guildhall, and will not return at once. I am mistress here. I will explain it all to you.

Gilbert.An hour of suspense is very long! Oh! I long to grasp life and happiness once more! Jane! you are here, Jane! I shall live! you love me! I have returned from hell! Hold me, or I shall do some mad thing. I shall laugh and sing. You love me, then?