The Stranger Part 13

_Countess._ But, with such a heart, my friend could not remain long in her delusion?

_Mrs. H._ Long enough to make sufficient penitence impossible. 'Tis true that in a few weeks the delirium was at an end. Oh, what were my sensations when the mist dispersed before my eyes? I called for my husband, but in vain!--I listened for the prattle of my children, but in vain!

_Countess._ [_Embracing her._] Here, here, on this bosom only shall your future tears be shed; and may I, dear sufferer, make you again familiar with hope!

_Mrs. H._ Oh! impossible!

_Countess._ Have you never heard of your children?

_Mrs. H._ Never.

_Countess._ We must endeavour to gain some account of them. We must--Hold! my husband and my brother! Oh, my poor brother! I had quite forgotten him. Quick, dear Mrs. Haller, wipe your eyes. Let us meet them.

_Mrs. H._ Madam, I'll follow. Allow me a moment to compose myself.--[_Exit COUNTESS._] I pause!--Oh! yes--to compose myself!

[_Ironically._] She little thinks it is but to gain one solitary moment to vent my soul's remorse. Once the purpose of my unsettled mind was self-destruction; Heaven knows how I have sued for hope and resignation.

I did trust my prayers were heard--Oh! spare me further trial! I feel, I feel, my heart and brain can bear no more. [_Exit._

ACT THE FOURTH.

SCENE I.

_The Skirts of the Park, Lodge, &c. as before.--A Table, spread with Fruits, &c._

_FRANCIS discovered placing the supper._

_Fra._ I know he loves to have his early supper in the fresh air; and, while he sups, not that I believe any thing can amuse him, yet I will try my little Savoyards' pretty voices. I have heard him speak as if he had loved music. [_Music without._] Oh, here they are.

_Enter ANNETTE and CLAUDINE, playing on their guitars._

Ann. _To welcome mirth and harmless glee,_ _We rambling minstrels, blythe and free,_ _With song the laughing hours beguile,_ _And wear a never-fading smile:_ _Where'er we roam_ _We find a home,_ _And greeting, to reward our toil._

Clau. _No anxious griefs disturb our rest,_ _Nor busy cares annoy our breast;_ _Fearless we sink in soft repose,_ _While night her sable mantle throws._ _With grateful lay,_ _Hail rising day,_ _That rosy health and peace bestows._

_During the Duet, the STRANGER looks from the Lodge window, and at the conclusion he comes out._

_Stra._ What mummery is this?

_Fra._ I hoped it might amuse you, sir.

_Stra._ Amuse _me_--fool!

_Fra._ Well then, I wished to amuse myself a little. I don't think my recreations are so very numerous.

_Stra._ That's true, my poor fellow; indeed they are not. Let them go on.--I'll listen.

_Fra._ But to please you, poor master, I fear it must be a sadder strain. Annette, have you none but these cheerful songs?

_Ann._ O, plenty. If you are dolefully given we can be as sad as night.

I'll sing you an air Mrs. Haller taught me the first year she came to the Castle.

_Fra._ Mrs. Haller! I should like to hear that.

Ann. _I have a silent sorrow here,_ _A grief I'll ne'er impart;_ _It breathes no sigh, it sheds no tear,_ _But it consumes my heart;_ _This cherish'd woe, this lov'd despair,_ _My lot for ever be,_ _So, my soul's lord, the pangs I bear_ _Be never known by thee!_

_And when pale characters of death_ _Shall mark this alter'd cheek,_ _When my poor wasted trembling breath_ _My life's last hope would speak;_ _I shall not raise my eyes to Heav'n,_ _Nor mercy ask for me,_ _My soul despairs to be forgiv'n,_ _Unpardon'd, love, by thee._

_Stra._ [_Surprised and moved._] Oh! I have heard that air before, but 'twas with other words. Francis, share our supper with your friends--I need none. [_Enters the Lodge._

_Fra._ So I feared. Well, my pretty favourites, here are refreshments.

So, disturbed again. Now will this gentleman call for more music, and make my master mad. Return when you observe this man is gone.--[_Exeunt ANNETTE and CLAUDINE.--FRANCIS sits and eats._]--I was in hopes, that I might at least eat my supper peaceably in the open air; but they follow at our heels like blood-hounds.

_Enter BARON._

_Bar._ My good friend, I must speak to your master.

_Fra._ Can't serve you.

_Bar._ Why not?

_Fra._ It's forbidden.

_Bar._ [_Offers money._] There! announce me.

_Fra._ Want no money.

_Bar._ Well, only announce me then.

_Fra._ I will announce you, sir; but it won't avail! I shall be abused, and you rejected. However, we can but try. [_Going._

_Bar._ I only ask half a minute. [_FRANCIS goes into the Lodge._] But when he comes, how am I to treat him? I never encountered a misanthrope before. I have heard of instructions as to conduct in society; but how I am to behave towards a being who loathes the whole world, and his own existence, I have never learned.

_Enter the STRANGER._

_Stra._ Now; what's your will?

_Bar._ I beg pardon, sir, for--[_Suddenly recognizing him._] Charles!

_Stra._ Steinfort! [_They embrace._

_Bar._ Is it really you, my dear friend?

_Stra._ It is.

_Bar._ Merciful Heavens! How you are altered!