1896
PERSONS.
The Noble Spinster .
The Youth's Mother .
The Girl's Father .
Others of his Family.
The Girl's Mother .
The Intendant of the Monument.
The Girl's Uncle .
Others of her Family.
A Band of Sailors.
The Girl's Betrothed .
A Train of Servants and Attendants.
The Youth's Father .
A hilltop. A white marble wall, before which is drawn up an inexorable array of Doric columns. In the middle of the wall is a single doorway, which leads to darkness save for the occasional reflection of red flames from within. On either side of the doorway there stands a burned-out brazen funeral torch, and under the colonnade, as well as on the steps which rise to it, are stationed several black-draped groups that look out toward the horizon-line of the sea. They are waiting. It is evening, and above the tops of the cypress-trees which lead, in a long avenue, up to the foot of the Monument the stars are shining — shining coldly, serenely, patiently, impersonally: they do not care — they have seen too much. They give no heed to the Monument, nor to the convent-isle that whitens in their light a league from shore.
( moaningly, as the flames once more light up the doorway ).
Contains
4 words
in
2 sentences
using
19 chars
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( who carries a rich golden urn in his hand ).
Contains
7 words
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2 sentences
using
40 chars
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( on the other side of the doorway ).
Contains
8 words
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1 sentence
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39 chars
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( who holds a plain earthen urn within the hollow of his arm ).
Contains
18 words
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2 sentences
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85 chars
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28 words
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6 sentences
using
144 chars
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18 words
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3 sentences
using
90 chars
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18 words
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3 sentences
using
89 chars
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14 words
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3 sentences
using
72 chars
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13 words
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3 sentences
using
69 chars
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10 words
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1 sentence
using
45 chars
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4 words
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1 sentence
using
20 chars
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Contains
4 words
in
1 sentence
using
14 chars
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4 words
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1 sentence
using
23 chars
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Contains
4 words
in
1 sentence
using
19 chars
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8 words
in
1 sentence
using
31 chars
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Contains
12 words
in
2 sentences
using
59 chars
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Contains
9 words
in
2 sentences
using
44 chars
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[The breeze stirs the tree-tops; it has rippled hillward over the sea.]
( to the Father , who is intently gazing waterward ).
Contains
13 words
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2 sentences
using
57 chars
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8 words
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1 sentence
using
34 chars
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22 words
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3 sentences
using
108 chars
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23 words
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4 sentences
using
101 chars
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22 words
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4 sentences
using
95 chars
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4 words
in
1 sentence
using
15 chars
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Contains
42 words
in
6 sentences
using
187 chars
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( turning again toward the sea ).
Contains
9 words
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2 sentences
using
38 chars
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Contains
14 words
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3 sentences
using
58 chars
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Contains
25 words
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4 sentences
using
119 chars
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Contains
8 words
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2 sentences
using
41 chars
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Contains
7 words
in
2 sentences
using
35 chars
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( turning away ).
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5 words
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1 sentence
using
24 chars
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3 words
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1 sentence
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13 chars
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4 words
in
1 sentence
using
21 chars
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4 words
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1 sentence
using
21 chars
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Contains
6 words
in
1 sentence
using
39 chars
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Contains
2 words
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1 sentence
using
9 chars
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Contains
4 words
in
1 sentence
using
27 chars
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[A small ship makes its way landward. Both masts carry full sail, and a white-robed figure waves greeting from the prow.]
( to her Father ).
Contains
11 words
in
2 sentences
using
45 chars
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Contains
6 words
in
1 sentence
using
29 chars
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( taking the urn from her Father ).
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7 words
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1 sentence
using
38 chars
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Contains
9 words
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2 sentences
using
50 chars
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Contains
14 words
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2 sentences
using
71 chars
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Contains
12 words
in
2 sentences
using
57 chars
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10 words
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1 sentence
using
54 chars
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8 words
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1 sentence
using
43 chars
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Contains
9 words
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1 sentence
using
43 chars
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Contains
8 words
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1 sentence
using
36 chars
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Contains
10 words
in
1 sentence
using
48 chars
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Contains
7 words
in
2 sentences
using
42 chars
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Contains
8 words
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2 sentences
using
37 chars
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Contains
18 words
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2 sentences
using
84 chars
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Contains
9 words
in
1 sentence
using
45 chars
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Contains
8 words
in
2 sentences
using
36 chars
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Contains
14 words
in
1 sentence
using
64 chars
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Contains
6 words
in
1 sentence
using
22 chars
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Contains
18 words
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2 sentences
using
80 chars
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Contains
20 words
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2 sentences
using
92 chars
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[The sound of a prow crunching on the shingle of the shore. The last faint glow illumines the lintel of the doorway. The breeze freshens; it is still from the sea.]
Contains
3 words
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2 sentences
using
16 chars
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Contains
6 words
in
1 sentence
using
35 chars
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Contains
12 words
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2 sentences
using
58 chars
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Contains
6 words
in
1 sentence
using
29 chars
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Contains
5 words
in
1 sentence
using
22 chars
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Contains
8 words
in
1 sentence
using
39 chars
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Contains
10 words
in
2 sentences
using
38 chars
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Contains
20 words
in
3 sentences
using
109 chars
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( bitterly ).
Contains
9 words
in
2 sentences
using
48 chars
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[The Intendant appears in the doorway of the Monument.]
( to the Girl's Father ).
Contains
4 words
in
1 sentence
using
17 chars
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Contains
6 words
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1 sentence
using
31 chars
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Contains
2 words
in
1 sentence
using
14 chars
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Contains
6 words
in
1 sentence
using
28 chars
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Contains
5 words
in
1 sentence
using
30 chars
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( advancing with his urn ).
Contains
4 words
in
1 sentence
using
17 chars
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( also advancing ).
Contains
14 words
in
3 sentences
using
67 chars
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Contains
8 words
in
2 sentences
using
37 chars
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Contains
9 words
in
1 sentence
using
39 chars
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Contains
10 words
in
1 sentence
using
50 chars
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Contains
13 words
in
2 sentences
using
61 chars
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Contains
15 words
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3 sentences
using
72 chars
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Contains
9 words
in
2 sentences
using
61 chars
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Contains
10 words
in
2 sentences
using
66 chars
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[A figure in white appears at the lower end of the cypress-avenue and comes up rapidly, accompanied by the scuffling of many feet.]
Contains
8 words
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2 sentences
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34 chars
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Contains
9 words
in
1 sentence
using
44 chars
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( to his major-domo ).
Contains
15 words
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1 sentence
using
75 chars
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Contains
10 words
in
2 sentences
using
37 chars
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Contains
10 words
in
2 sentences
using
46 chars
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Contains
13 words
in
3 sentences
using
56 chars
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[The Noble Spinster , in the full habit of a nun, and with damp and disheveled hair, arrives panting at the lowest of the marble steps.]
( mounting; the sailors remain behind ).
Contains
16 words
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2 sentences
using
67 chars
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Contains
8 words
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2 sentences
using
51 chars
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Contains
15 words
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3 sentences
using
77 chars
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Contains
8 words
in
3 sentences
using
34 chars
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13 words
in
2 sentences
using
57 chars
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Contains
6 words
in
1 sentence
using
28 chars
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Contains
12 words
in
1 sentence
using
51 chars
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Contains
10 words
in
1 sentence
using
51 chars
.
Contains
26 words
in
3 sentences
using
131 chars
.
Contains
45 words
in
7 sentences
using
222 chars
.
Contains
5 words
in
2 sentences
using
21 chars
.
( suddenly, as she glances at the young man beside the Girl's Father ).
Contains
3 words
in
1 sentence
using
12 chars
.
Contains
4 words
in
1 sentence
using
22 chars
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( with shrill laughter ).
Contains
12 words
in
2 sentences
using
59 chars
.
Contains
5 words
in
1 sentence
using
22 chars
.
( with shriller laughter ).
Contains
14 words
in
3 sentences
using
64 chars
.
Contains
1 word
in
1 sentence
using
4 chars
.
Contains
1 word
in
1 sentence
using
5 chars
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Contains
11 words
in
3 sentences
using
46 chars
.
( advancing ).
Contains
3 words
in
1 sentence
using
11 chars
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( frantically ).
Contains
28 words
in
5 sentences
using
121 chars
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Contains
7 words
in
1 sentence
using
39 chars
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Contains
22 words
in
3 sentences
using
106 chars
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Contains
1 word
in
1 sentence
using
6 chars
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Contains
19 words
in
2 sentences
using
95 chars
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Contains
9 words
in
2 sentences
using
50 chars
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Contains
9 words
in
2 sentences
using
39 chars
.
Contains
14 words
in
2 sentences
using
77 chars
.
Contains
20 words
in
4 sentences
using
87 chars
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Contains
8 words
in
3 sentences
using
37 chars
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Contains
5 words
in
1 sentence
using
26 chars
.
Contains
3 words
in
1 sentence
using
17 chars
.
Contains
5 words
in
1 sentence
using
25 chars
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( to the Girl's Betrothed ).
Contains
44 words
in
9 sentences
using
214 chars
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( stammeringly ).
Contains
4 words
in
1 sentence
using
18 chars
.
Contains
58 words
in
9 sentences
using
265 chars
.
Contains
5 words
in
3 sentences
using
28 chars
.
Contains
15 words
in
2 sentences
using
67 chars
.
Contains
6 words
in
2 sentences
using
37 chars
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Contains
10 words
in
3 sentences
using
46 chars
.
Contains
2 words
in
1 sentence
using
18 chars
.
Contains
35 words
in
4 sentences
using
166 chars
.
Contains
7 words
in
1 sentence
using
32 chars
.
Contains
7 words
in
1 sentence
using
35 chars
.
Contains
69 words
in
9 sentences
using
345 chars
.
Contains
5 words
in
2 sentences
using
41 chars
.
Contains
23 words
in
6 sentences
using
116 chars
.
Contains
14 words
in
4 sentences
using
69 chars
.
( trying a second time ).
Contains
6 words
in
1 sentence
using
27 chars
.
Contains
9 words
in
3 sentences
using
49 chars
.
Contains
9 words
in
2 sentences
using
42 chars
.
Contains
8 words
in
2 sentences
using
39 chars
.
Contains
5 words
in
1 sentence
using
22 chars
.
Contains
3 words
in
1 sentence
using
13 chars
.
[He receives the two urns at the same time from the hands of the two Fathers and retires through the doorway.]
( looking aloft ).
Contains
4 words
in
1 sentence
using
21 chars
.
( clasping her hands over her streaming hair ).
Contains
2 words
in
1 sentence
using
15 chars
.
Contains
6 words
in
1 sentence
using
29 chars
.
Contains
12 words
in
2 sentences
using
66 chars
.
Contains
8 words
in
2 sentences
using
46 chars
.
Contains
18 words
in
2 sentences
using
109 chars
.
[The Intendant appears in the doorway with an urn in each hand. The two families advance to receive them.]
( springing forward ).
Contains
8 words
in
3 sentences
using
44 chars
.
Contains
1 word
in
1 sentence
using
6 chars
.
Contains
4 words
in
1 sentence
using
25 chars
.
Contains
7 words
in
1 sentence
using
37 chars
.
Contains
11 words
in
1 sentence
using
51 chars
.
( snatching at the covers of the two urns ).
Contains
15 words
in
2 sentences
using
74 chars
.
Contains
3 words
in
1 sentence
using
18 chars
.
Contains
8 words
in
2 sentences
using
39 chars
.
Contains
22 words
in
3 sentences
using
118 chars
.
[The Spinster wrenches the two urns from the hands of the Intendant , and attempts to empty the contents of the earthen one into the golden one. A sudden gust of wind sweeps through the colonnade, and a bright beacon-light flares on the topmost tower of the convent. The Spinster, blinded by the blowing of her own hair, or by the swirling ashes, drops both urns with a crash upon the marble pavement. The wind sweeps the hilltop wildly and makes for the open sea.]
Contains
6 words
in
1 sentence
using
33 chars
.
Contains
4 words
in
1 sentence
using
19 chars
.
Contains
4 words
in
1 sentence
using
19 chars
.
( laughing wildly ).
Contains
36 words
in
8 sentences
using
182 chars
.
[The Spinster , followed by her Sailors, runs rapidly down the cypress-avenue. The launching of her ship is heard above the protests and lamentations of those who are left behind. The Intendant enters the Monument, and shuts the door.]