Judith monologue (Act 2) — The Devil's Disciple

I am doing my duty. I am clinging to my duty. My duty is to get you away, to save you, to leave him to his fate. (_Essie utters a cry of distress and sinks on the chair at the fire, sobbing silently._) My instinct is the same as hers—to save him above all things, though it would be so much better for him to die! so much greater! But I know you will take your own way as he took it. I have no power. (_She sits down sullenly on the railed seat._) I’m only a woman: I can do nothing but sit here and suffer. Only, tell him I tried to save you—that I did my best to save you.