You may not disturb her, my lord,"
said the nurse, attempting to prevent his too near approach;--"I pray
you depart; your presence afflicts her sorely."
"Ay, and so it does," said Lord William, with a strange and hideous
laugh. "I pray thee, lady, let me play the doctor,--hold out thy hand."
The lady was still silent. She turned away her head. His glance was too
withering to endure.
"Nay, then, I must constrain thee, dame."
She drew out her hand, which Lord William seized with a violent and
convulsive grasp.
"I fear me 'tis a sickness unto death; small hope of amendment here.
Give me the other; perchance I may find there more comfort."
"Oh, my husband, I cannot;--I am--I have no strength."
"Why, thou art grown peevish with thy distemper. Since 'tis so, I must
e'en force thy stubborn will."
"Alas! I cannot."
"If not thy hand, show me thy wrist!--I have here a match to it,
methinks. O earth--earth--hide me in thy womb!--let the darkness blot me
out and this blasting testimony for ever!--Accursed hag, what hast thou
done?"
He seized her by the hair.
"What hast thou promised the fiend? Tell me,--or"--
"I have, oh, I fear I have,--consented to the compact!"
"How far doth it bind thee?"
"My soul--my better part!"
"Thy better part?--thy worse! A loathsome ulcer, reeking with the stench
from the pit! Better have given thy body to the stake, than have let in
one unhallowed desire upon thy soul.
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