with innocence. Still there is a native air of truth about her, that seems to scorn evasion and deceit. My heart leans to her, 'spite of my judgment; and come what may, I must be satisfied Enter BRUNETTE. -So-what says the guide? Brun. He thanks you for your bounty, Sir, and says it will buy him wares and toys, to sell again to-morrow at the Village Festival. A young couple are to be married to-morrow. The bride is Rosetta, daughter of Goloti, the farmer in the valley-he that's so rich. Ger. (musing). Poor girl! Brun. Sir! why, indeed, it is a serious change for a simple girl, who has been always usedGer. To wander from her home (still musing). Brun. No, Sir, to live quietly at home-but they say she'll be very happy. Ger. Still I suspect her. Brun. Suspect her, Sir!—of what? Ger. Of quitting her father's house (sternly). Ger. Bring me a chair-So-my curiosity must be satisfied-it shall be satisfied; the motive is laudable, and I will not resist it. Brunette! Brun. Sir! Ger. Tell the Lady that I attend her leisure for a few words. Brun. Yes, Sir. (Going). 1 Ger. Stay-Did the guide wish to discoverI mean, was he angry at not being admitted ? Brun. Oh dear! no-he said he scorn'd to pry into the secrets of any one. C Ger. Did he so ?-(rises)-He has taught me a lesson. Dreading discovery myself, I was about to worm the secret from another, on which, like mine, her very life may depend. (Aside). Ger. Hush! Jul. (sings within).— Alone, on life's rough wave I'm tost, Alone I droop beneath the willow; Enters. And make the clay-cold sod my pillow. Ger. She must be innocent, for guilt could never so attune itself to harmony. "Then why thus sing my love-lorn ditty, "Ger. Poor girl! thy fate must indeed be "hard, if pity be denied, where to love would be "a crime." Brunette, leave us. [Exit Brunette. Jul. (seeing Geraldo). Ah, Sir! you little think how happy you have made me. Ger. I have been myself unfortunate; and tho' the stranger has sometimes been refused admittance here, still I have a fellow-feeling for the wretched. Jul. My story is but short, and your kindness claims my confidence. Ger. (aside). Now, then, without enquiry, I shall be satisfied. Jul. The loss of my parents was attended with circumstances Jaques (without). Hilloah! Hilloah! Ger. Conceal yourself quickly-I must prevent intrusion. Jaques. Hilloah! [Exit Geraldo. (Music expressing alarm). Jul. So, in this retirement I shall surely be safe from pursuit. Now will the Count D'Essars do justice to the unhappy Julia, convinced she stole not the affections of his son, to obtrude unsanctioned on his family.-Oh Henri, Henri! shall we never meet again ! SONG-JULIA. The stream that murmurs through the bower, That on its margin blows. So can fond mem'ry to my mind, [Exit through a Door in the Hut. Enter GERALDO, followed by JAQUES, who is dressed in the French Postillion fashion, long Jack-boots, large Cue, small cock'd Hat, a Whip in his hand, &c. Ger. But what are you? Cer. How came you here? very worthy Gentleman Jaques. Why, a brought me I mean you. Ger Pshaw! answer me instantly--what brought you here? Jaques. A mule, an obstinate beast-I don't mean you, now. Ger Where have you left him? Jaques, I didn't leave him- he left me. Jaques. In the ditch, where you found me→ he roll dover the precipice-it was the only symptom of speed he evinced in the whole journey'twas a mercy the saddle-girth broke in the fall, or I should have been as precipitate as himself. Ger. Pshaw! no matter if you had followed him. Taques. I beg your pardon, it is always better to lead a good example than to follow a bad one. Ger. Who do you serve? Jaques My master. Ger. Who is your master? Ger. What the President of Police at Paris? Ger. Ha! the very wretch who, unheard, condemn'd me twenty years ago; and though my rumour'd death must have silenced all sus-picion, yet-should his master be with him-Do you travel alone? Jaques. No! with the Count himself. We are come in search of a runaway, who we hear is conceal'd in these mountains. Ger. Ha! am I then betray'd! never saw a man so suddenly taken- Why I Jaques. Why no, not taken yet, but I've a strong suspicion it won't be long first-before we shall have her. Ger. Where is your master? Jaques. Waiting in the shattered remains of our carriage, not an hundred yards from this place he can't stir till I assist him, or he'll be up to his middle in mud-like a duck in a half. dry pond. Ger. What is to be done! should D'Essars remember me I am lost! (aside). I have no accommodations here for travellers. Jaques. Pray don't make any apologies. I came forward to find some place to pass the night inthis cottage is comfortable, and we'll accommodate ourselves now that arm chair is a very good place for me; and as for my master, he's a great man, and a great politician, and such gentlemen generally know how to get good places for themselves. Exit Jaques. Ger. Is there no concealment - ha! that cloak? yet why should I avoid him? he has wrong'd me, and revenge is in my power. (Geraldo takes down the pistols, and slips one in his breast -Music hurrying, and expressive of agitation). I was a husband and a father-he condemn'd me unjustly broke the heart of my wife, and with her destroyed my child- why then should I spare him who has thus heap'd misery on me? (cocks the pistol-hesitates-at length throws it from him) he is at my mercy-ne has a wife and child. (Geraldo wraps the cloak about him as they enter). D'Ess. (without). Jaques, attend to my commands as soon as you can obtain assistance, let the carriage be put into the best possible repair, and procure fresh mules, that we may proceed without delay. |