24 THE MOTHER’S TRAGEDY
ULRIC.
Believe me, I am nervous and distraught.
You know me, how excitable I am.
A moment, and you see me calm again.
Come, Cora, do not frighten Madeline!
[ He vatses her to lead her from the room.
CORA.
Where would you lead me? I am blind with tears.
ULRIC.
I have no tears. Mine eyes are hard and cold
As my intention. Help me, Madeline.
CORA.
God will avenge me bitterly on you
If you stretch hand to aid this infamy.
ULRIC.
You shall not wreck her life. Be silent now!
Believe me, it 1s nothing, Madeline!
She often falls into a fit like this.
Excess is danger, equally in prayer
(Her vice is prayer) as in debauchery.
[He ts again going mad. fe drags CORA from
the room.
MADELINE.
It is not illness that hath made them mad.
I cannot guess what storm has lashed itself