Fifty Contemporary One-Act Plays Part 230

Has she come? Is she here?... Go, Violante-- Go, leave us two alone!

VIOLANTE

She walked as one bewitched in a dream.

She seemed to fear.... I bade her wait without....

Florio, could it be true you loved this woman?

FLORIO

Has all the brightness fallen from her eyes, The glory and the wonder from her face?

VIOLANTE

She _lives_! How few have had the plague and _lived_!

FLORIO

Alas, woe, woe is me!

VIOLANTE [_triumphantly, to Olivia_]

You heard?

[_To Florio._]

Come forth--she's at the threshold.

FLORIO

Bid her wait.

Give me s.p.a.ce for thought ... a little s.p.a.ce....

This is almost as horrible as her death....

[_Long silence. The women wait.... Groaning within. Olivia starts forward to go to Florio._]

VIOLANTE [_to Olivia_]

Do you flinch now? I knew you would not dare!

[_Olivia stops. Proudly she remains still._]

VIOLANTE [_as arras stirs_]

Now bear _your_ part--continue the deceit.

OLIVIA [_in a frightened voice_]

I know he loves me. Yet a little while And I will draw my veil!

[_Another groan. Olivia starts forward again._]

Oh, I cannot!

VIOLANTE [_mocking_]

I knew you would not dare!

[_Again Olivia stops still. Now, after a long pause, during which death processions are heard to pa.s.s, the arras over the smaller doorway is slowly put aside. Florio enters, swaying. He holds his cloak about his brow._]

FLORIO

Where is Olivia?

OLIVIA [_feigning with an effort_]

Florio, G.o.d pity you and me-- I had rather died!...

FLORIO

Oh, speak not so!

OLIVIA

My "beauty clean and golden as the sun,"

As once you sang it, has become so gross And fearful, that I veil it, broken with shame, From eyes of men.... [_A pause._] 'Tis well you cloak your eyes, For should I drop my veil through which I glance--[_Another pause._]

Shall I go?

FLORIO [_breathing heavily_]

No ... for I love you ... bide with me....

[_With great effort_] ... Though you be foul, Olivia!

[_As he still stands m.u.f.fled, Olivia grows more and more frightened at what she is doing, and now, in complete surrender to terror, gives over the deceit and speaks the truth._]

OLIVIA