Rosa monologue — The Ghetto: A Drama in Four Acts

[_Rushing to RAFAEL._] Rafael! Rafael! Tell me the truth. Am I not your wife? Don't you love me? Do you love some one else? Do you love Aaron's daughter? They are planning to marry her to you. What does it mean? [_He motions her to be silent._] Does it mean that you wish it? No--no, it can't be that: you have said you were going away; but you didn't tell them of me. Why? Why do you not tell them of me?--soon enough you'll have to; and then--then you will have to choose--choose between the rage of your father--between disinheritance--poverty--the wrath of all the Ghetto, and me--only me! Rafael, my life is in your hands. Love me--love me, Rafael! Don't let me doubt you! [_He stops her mouth. Suddenly SACHEL opens the window over the shop-door; he leans out, listens, hears nothing, withdraws._] He's in my room--he's searching for me--he suspects us--he has said so. He's coming down now; he's going to accuse us; he's going to tell you to desert me--desert me or starve! Rafael, what are you going to say? Rafael, what are you going to say?