by the agony of love, which is worse than any other agony. For
three years Maria was cared for in an institution for the mentally
deranged. And when she came out again, she was divided, broken into
several pieces--it might be said that she was several persons. She
was an angel and feared God with one side of her spirit; but with
another she was a devil, and reviled all that was holy. I've seen
her go straight from dancing and frenzy to her beloved Florian, and
have heard her, in his presence, speak so differently and so alter
her expression, that I could have sworn she was another being. But
to me she seemed equally sincere in both her shapes. Is she to
blame, or her seducer?

PEOPLE. She's not to blame! Where is her seducer?

FATHER. There!

TEMPTER. Yes. It was I.

PEOPLE. Stone him!

MAGISTRATE. The law must run its course. He must be heard.

TEMPTER. Bon! Then listen, Argives! It was like this. Your humble
servant, born of poor but fairly honourable parents, was from the
beginning one of those strange birds who, in their youth, go in
search of their Creator--but without ever finding him, naturally!
It's more usual for old cuckoos to look for him in their dotage--
and for good reasons! The urge for this youthful quest was
accompanied by a purity of heart and a modesty that even caused his
nurses to smile--yes, we can laugh now when we hear that this boy