Eug. To woods and caves, to wolves and vultures, to escape from man! Receive this paper, 'tis the memoir of my life. (Monica gives a sign to Bertrand.) Mon. Yet, hold-a stranger has been inquiring here, who describes himself your friend. Eug. Ah! no, no-the tomb long since has covered all my friends. Mon. He is in the house. Eug. Where? (Monica points, and Eugenia's eyes rest upon the figure of Bertrand, who has concealed his face with his hands.) Speak! what would you? Bert. (Uncovering his face without raising his eyes.) Pardon ! pardon! Eug. Ah, Bertrand ! Bert. (Catching her mantle.) Stay! Angel of mercy! a despairing man implores for pardon. Eug. (Presses her crucifix to her lips.) Yes, charity and peace to all! May heaven forgive thee, sinful man! Bert. Lady, I come to serve and save you. Might we converse without a witness? Mon. Nay, I will not be an eaves-dropper. My blessing, stranger, if you mean her fairly; but if you wrong, or play her false, a widow's curse fall heavy on your death-bed. (Exit.) Eug. Speak, man of terrors Bert. The Baron Longueville Eug. That fiend! Bert. Lady! I possess the means— -O blessed chance! to shield you from his malice. Eug. And wilt thou-O! wilt thou, Bertrand? One such gracious act shall win thy pardon for a thousand sins. Bert. Lady! (Sinks on his knee.) I solemnly vow, the tyrant Longueville shall mar your peace no more. (Sanguine looks in, and makes a sign to Longueville, who follows; they glide to the further end of the cottage.) Eug. Rise! your penitence wears nature's stamp. Bert. Oh! lady, by what miracle escaped you the flames of that tremendous night? Eug. Ah, what hast thou said? Again I view thy murderous poniard reared to strike! Begone! begone! Bert. To Longueville ascribe the horrors of that night. Longueville was it, that opened the castle gates at midnight; his hand it was that fired the chamber where you slept in peace. Eug. A wayward destiny that night was mine--at once both saved and lost! Darkness wrapt my flying steps, and ere the dawn, in safety, with my child, I gained the forest. Bert. Your child! eternal powers! the infant then escaped my blow? Eug. Thy dagger's point twice scarred his innocent hand, but failed to reach his life. A sanguine cross indelibly remained. Bert. O! does the infant yet survive? Speak, lady! Eug. No, Bertrand, no; fortune but mocked me with a moment's hope--he perished, Bertrand. Ah! my brain! Bert. Thou suffering excellence ! a safe retreat. Bert. Let me bestow thee in (The baron suddenly stands before them.) Undone for ever! Long. Guard well the door-let not a creature enter or depart. (Draws his dagger.) Wretch ! Bert. Strike! yes, deep in this guilty bosom, strike. Long. Thou double traitor! tremble at impending death! Bert. Tyrant! I defy thy vengeance-the measure of my anguish and despair is full. Long. Wretch! I give thee back thy life, but I will study punishments, to make the boon a curse unutterable! Sanguine, ascend the stair, and force that wretched woman to my pres ence. Bert. Hold, hold, my lord! recall those threatening words. Long. Away, my purpose is resolved. Bert. (Kneels, and catching his cloak.) Hear me, my lord; as you deal with this afflicted innocent, so hereafter, shall the God of judgment deal with you. Long. (Aloud.) Sanguine, produce my victim. Bert. Cover me, mountains! hide me from the sun! (Sanguine returns from above.) Sang. My lord, the female has escaped! Long. Villain ! escaped? Bert. Ha! Sang. (Turning to the window.) Ha! I catch a female figure darting through the trees-she runs with lightning speed! Long. Distraction! if she gain the castle, I am lost for ever; pursue, pursue! (Longueville and Sanguine rush out.) Bert. Guardians of innocence, direct her steps! (Exit.) Scene 9.-A room in the chateau. (Enter Rosabelle and Gaspard.) Gasp. Ha! young mistress Rosabelle, you are fleet of foot. Ros. Yet, my steps are heavier than my heart, for that's all feather. Wilt along with me, Gaspard? Gasp. No, no-youth is for flight-but age for falls. Ros. dance? Wilt turn a waltz anon, and be my partner in the Gasp. Hey, madcap, have we dances toward? Ros. Certainly! the lady Geraldine and myself for beauty; and then for rank, we shall have the count himself, and the baron, and Gasp. Out upon you, magpie! his lordship, the count, among revellers! truly a pleasant jest. Ros. I heard him promise lady Geraldine Gasp. Damsel, thy tongue has made a boy of me again. Ros. Indeed, then have I brought thee to thy second childhood. Gasp. Ah! would you fleer me? His lordship among revellers! oh! the blessed tidings! (Exeunt.) Scene 10. (Village girls advance, scattering flowers before Geraldine, who is led by Florian.) Ger. (Pointing to the centre seat.) There is our hero's seat. Nay, my commands are absolute; I reserve this for my uncle. (They seat themselves. Boys habited as warriors, hang military trophies round Florian's seat. Girls enter, as wood-nymphs, and disarm the warriors, remove the trophies, and replace them with garlands. The warriors and nymphs join. Suddenly a piercing shriek is heard, and Eugenia enters, and casts herself at the feet of Geraldine.) Eug. Save me! save me ! Ger. Ah! what wretched suppliant is this? Flor. By heavens! the very woman who preserved my life! (Enter Longueville.) Long. (With instant self-command.) Dear friends, heaven has appointed me the agent of its grace. I have discovered in this wretched woman, the long-lost wife of a friend at Baden. Eug. No, no, I have no husband-they have murdered him; this man would betray-destroy me. (Catching Geraldine's robe.) Ger. How earnestly she grasps my hand. Long. She utters nought but madness! Come, away, away! (Seizing Eugenia, she clings to Geraldine.) Eug. Forsake me not! Ger. Forbear, my lord; I cannot find that wildness you proclaim. Lady, dismiss your fears-here resides the Count de Valmont. Eug. Who! Ger. The excellent-the suffering De Valmont. Eug. (With recurring insanity.) Come to the altar-my love waits for me-weave me a bridal crown ! Long. Behold! can you doubt me now? Ger. Too painfully I am convinced. Poor thing! ah, remove her hence. Flor. Yes, yes, remove her! but O, I charge you, treat her with the tenderest care. Long. (To his people.) Advance, bear her to my pavilion! (They seize upon Eugenia--the count enters at the same moment.) De Val. My friends, I come to join your pleasures. Eug. (Struggling violently.) Hark! he calls me to his arms. Unhand me!-oh! cruel-cruel-(She sinks into a swoon.-Longueville draws her veil, to conceal her features.) Long. Away with her, this instant! (He catches De Valmont's arm-then imperatively to the men.) Quick, quick! (De Valmont pauses in surprise. Longueville maintains his restraining attitude. Florian and Geraldine join to arrest his steps. The bravoes withdraw the insensible and unresisting Eugenia.) (Exeunt.). Scene 11.-The steward's room. (Gaspard and L'Clair discovered, drinking.) Gasp. Adod! a very master-piece of military art. Well, and what then, did our troops ? L'C. They dashed through the river, like a pack of otters. Gasp. Hold-you said just now the river wasn't fordable. L'C. Did I? pshaw! I only meant, it wasn't fordable to the enemy. But as to our hussars-whew! such fellows as they would get through any thing. (Takes the flask from Gaspard, and drinks.) Gasp. O, the rare hussars! My room is private, so here we'll sit, and talk about war for the remainder of the night. L'C. Bravo! agreed-but hark ye, is not this room of your's built in a queer sort of a circular shape? Gasp. No: a most perfect square. L'C. Well, I never studied mathematics, but, for a perfect square, methinks it has the oddest trick of turning round with its company, I ever witnessed. (Enter Rosabelle.) Ros. Here's a display of profligacy! So, gentlemen, are these your morals? Gasp. Marry now, my malapert lady! how comes it you are found abroad at these wild hours? Ros. I have always important motives for my conduct. A strange female waits at the castle-gate, and demands to speak with the person of first consequence in the family.. Gasp. (Rising pompously.) I am of course the personage required! You say a female ? Ros. Yes, she waits in heavy trouble at the gate. Gasp. Ifly. Gallantry invites, and I obey the call. 'Tis woman tempts from friendship, war, and wine— My fault is human-my excuse divine! (Exit.) Ros. In sooth, the old gentleman has not forgotten his manners in his cups; but as to you, sir, have you nothing to say for yourself? L'C. (Rising and reeling towards her.) Much, very much! O, Rosabelle, beautiful Rosabelle! This morning I beheld only one Rosabelle, and yet I was undone; now I seem to behold two Rosabelles-ergo, I either see double, or am doubly undone. There's logic for you. Ros. What shall I do with him? I must coax him. (Aside.) L'Clair-come, come, my dear L'Clair. Assuredly of all objects in creation, the most pitiable is a man in liquor. L'C. There's one exception-a man in love. (Exeunt.) Scene 12.-The Count's Chamber. (De Valmont gazing upon a miniature.) De Val. Eugenia ! Now of the angel race, and blessed in heaven! |