If thus the faint foreshadow of a grief

Can overcome thee. Listen? What was that?

MARIA (starts up, shudders violently, and, all at once, masters her emotion.) Why, I heard nothing, father.

Yes, a sound
Of footsteps, and a stifled call.
[He goes toward the casement. MAEIA tries to detain him.

Dear father,
Surely t was naught. Your ears deceive you. Hark,
The wind is rising, and you heard the leaves
Rustling together.

Nay, I will look forth.

[He opens the casement and looks out in silence. MARIA stands behind him, with her hands clasped in an agony of fear.

Hist, answer ! Who goes there ? (a pause.) No sound. Thou’rt right,
Maria ; I see naught ; our garden lies