MR TODD 
189 
 
DELHOMME.  Of you—of thee.  How difficult is the 
English language to express subtle differences !   
You must have seen, Miss Ossory——  
EUPHEMIA.  [dully].  I have seen nothing.  
DELHOMME.  May I speak ?    
EUPHEMIA.  What is this ?  Oh !    
DELHOMME.  I need not tell you, I see.  My unspoken 
sympathy and devotion——  
EUPHEMIA.  Spare me, I pray you.  
DELHOMME.  I must speak.  Mademoiselle, I am blessed 
in loving you.  I offer you the sympathy and devotion of 
a lifetime.  
EUPHEMIA.  I beg you to spare me.  It is impossible.  
DELHOMME.  It is the truth—it is necessary—I should 
kill myself if you refused.  
EUPHEMIA.  My father——  
DELHOMME.  Your respected father is my warmest 
advocate.  
EUPHEMIA.  You distress me, sir.  It is impossible.  
DELHOMME.  Ah, fairest of maidens, well I know 
your English coyness and modesty !  [Taking her 
hand.]  Ah, give me this pure hand for good, for ever !  
This hand which has been ever open to the misery 
of the poor, ever closed to box the enemies of your 
country !    
EUPHEMIA.  It is not mine !    
DELHOMME.  I do not understand.  I am too worn a 
slave in the world’s market for my fettered soul to grasp 
your innocence.  Ah !  you are vowed to Our Lady, 
perhaps ?  Yet, believe me—