Sachel monologue — The Ghetto: A Drama in Four Acts

How do I know? Have I ever looked into your eyes? Ay, if I could look into them at this moment, God knows what I should find. You are not my enemy! Why, then, were you up last night prowling about my house--at midnight--when my son--when Rafael;--Rafael--? Come here! [_She comes to him._] Your hand! Was it Rafael? Did Rafael--? No, no, my beautiful boy--with such as you--an ugly, misshapen wench like you! [_Pause._] Unless--unless they lied to me! Did not Esther sniff and say that you were white and thin, when we rescued you from pauperdom--when you were threatened with the streets--you thankless vagabond? They knew I would not have had you else! Rafael said that "pretty" was no word for such a face as yours; did he mean that you were beautiful;--did he mean that? Your form--yes, your form! [_He passes his hand over her._] Hold still! Do you fear an old blind wreck like me? Ay, you are like a Madonna, damn you! Your face--hold still--your nose--[_he passes his hand over her face_]--your brow--your chin;--they lied to me! You are beautiful! It _was_ Rafael!