MAR. Very well.
ERAS. Here is likewise a bracelet of yours.
[Footnote: Formerly lovers used to wear bracelets generally made of each
others hair, which no doubt were hidden from the common view.
Shakespeare, in his _Mid-summer Night's Dream_, Act i., Scene I,
says, "Thou, Lysander, thou hast... stol'n th' impression of her fantasy
with bracelets of thy hair."]
LUC. And this agate seal is yours.
ERAS. (_Reads_). "You love me with the most ardent passion, Eraste,
and wish to know if I feel the same. If I do not love Eraste as much, at
least I am pleased that Eraste should thus love me.--LUCILE." You assure
me by this letter that you accept my love; it is a falsehood which I
punish thus. (_Tears the letter_).
LUC. (_Reading_). "I do not know what may be the fate of my ardent
love, nor how long I shall suffer; but this I know, beauteous charmer,
that I shall always love you.--ERASTE." This is an assurance of
everlasting love; both the hand and the letter told a lie. (_Tears the
letter_).
GR.-RE. Go on.
ERAS. (_Showing another letter_). This is another of your letters;
it shall share the same fate.
MAR. (_To Lucile_). Be firm.
LUC. (_Tearing another letter_). I should be sorry to keep back one
of them.
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