1. In the play as in the poem, the distinctive peculiarities of the "deed of gift" are that it is sealed in blood and that it involves the giving of the self, body and soul.

2. The key to the irony of the line is the curious phrase "The deed of gift, " which means considerably more than merely "the act of giving. "

3. I swear to you, father, Marguerite knew nothing of this deed of gift.

4. Now, since I was going to have to tell him sooner or later in whose favour I was making the deed of gift, I decided to confess the truth there and then.

5. I did not tell Marguerite what I had decided, for I was quite convinced that she would refuse to accept my deed of gift.

6. On the evening before the ceremony, Mrs. Meloney had shown her the deed of gift.