Fifty Contemporary One-Act Plays Part 228

OLIVIA

Strange woman, there is evil in your voice!

And yet I know he loves me for myself, Taking my beauty, none the less, in gladness Like any transitory gift from G.o.d.

VIOLANTE

And yet you dare not put him to the test?

OLIVIA

What test?

VIOLANTE

To make him first believe That you are ugly!

OLIVIA

I would not toy with such a splendid gift As a man's love.

VIOLANTE [_mocking_]

Ah ... in sooth?

OLIVIA

How strange you look ... yet stranger is your speech.

VIOLANTE

Before you came--whom loved he then?

OLIVIA

I do not think he was like other men.

VIOLANTE

Like other men he took and tossed aside, Deceived and lied and went from heart to heart Reaping the richness of each woman's soul.

OLIVIA

Go, lest I strike you!

VIOLANTE

Poor, fond, believing child-- Now I would not have you test his love!

OLIVIA [_stirred_]

By all the saints, I'll put him to the test!...

[_As Violante steps closer to her_]

Nay, I'll not let you look upon my face....

He must, as I have vowed, look on it first, Nor will I break that vow--[_Her vanity conquering_]

But lift yon mirror And you shall look in it and see me there Reflected!...

[_Violante lifts mirror so she and Lizzia can see reflection_.]

OLIVIA [_with simplicity_]

Keep your backs so!

[_Unveiling briefly, then drawing veil again_.]

There! Have I lied?

VIOLANTE

He always worshiped beauty.... You are fair!

OLIVIA

Soon will you know our love has mighty wings Outsoaring time into eternity!

VIOLANTE

I'll have him forth--are you ready for the trial?

OLIVIA

Do you persuade him of my ugliness....

If he loves me not I shall go forth and die-- Then life will be far too like death to live!