Gri. To---to do you service. Fre. At such an hour! Gri. 'Tis never too late to do good--- Gri. Yes---you bave been in danger. Kar. Have we? Thank you for your Gri. You have been watched by the banditti. Fre. So it appears. Kar. But how did you know it? Gri. (Confused) There is my proof (pointing to the body of Riber.) Kar. But how the plague got you into the house-thro' a rat-hole? Fre. Explain? Gri. Few words will do that:-On my return to the mill I found you might repose there better than in this house; at all events, I knew you would be safer in my care. Fre. Safer! Proceed---what mean you Gri. Kelmar! Fre. Hah! Gri. Had you no suspicion of him---no mistrust of his wish to---to detain you? Fre. I confess, I--. Gri. (to Karl) the poniard you obtained in the forest, that you refused to give me. Kar. This! Gri.is Kelmar's. Fre. Wretch ! Kar. I thought so; I found the sheath here. Gri. I knew it instantly---my suspicious were aroused---now they are confirm'd; Kelmar is in league with these marauders---I found the door open, you still slept. I searched the house for him, he is no where to be found, he and his daughter have absconded --are you satisfied? Fre. I am. Kar. I am not; I wish we were safe at Lome. I'm no coward by day-light, but I hate adventures of this kind in the dark. Gri. Follow me-you cannot mistake, see 'tis day-break at the cottage close to the narrow bridge that passes the ravine you will find re pose. Fre. We'll follow you. Kar. Lord! how a man may be deceived? L took you for a great rogue now, but I find you are a good christian, tho' you are a very ill looking man. Gri. We can't all be as handsome as you--[Exit Grindoff. Kar. No, nor as witty as you.---I don't half like that fellow yet (gets the portmanteau.) Now the sooner we are off the better, Sir. As for this fellow, the rats may take care of him. (A shriek heard without, Frederick draws his sword and rushes out. Fre. Karl---follow me! Kar. What, more adventures! I'm ready. I say, (to the body of Riber) take care of the portmanteau, will you? [Exit. Grindoff enters with Claudine in his arms, and is seen concealing her and himself in the Secret Rock; he lets down the flat stone and disappears as Frederick in haste enters. Fre. Gone! vanish'd! Can it be possible? Sure 'tis witchcraft. I was close upon him--Karl! The cries of her he dragg'd with him too have ceased, and not the faintest echo of his retiring footstep can be heard---Karl ! Enter KARL. Kar. O Lord---pho! that hill's a breather, why where is he? didn't you overtake him? Fre. No, in this spot he disappeared and sunk as it should seem, ghost-like into the very earth ---Follow ! Kar. Follow follow a Will-o'-the-wisp ! Fre. Quick.-aid me to search. Kar. Search out a ghost; mercy on us not I. Fre. He must be near. Kar. So much the worse. I hate spirits and bugaboos, and all their kin---can't abide 'em. Fre Ridiculous. Kar. So I think---I'll follow you thro' the world---fight for you--the best cock giant robber of 'em all---but if you are for hunting gobblins---I'm off---Hey, where the devil's the woman tho'? If she was a spirit, she made more noise than any lady alive. Fre. Perchance the villain so closely pursued has destroyed his victim. Kar. No doubt on't; he's kill'd her to a certainty; nothing but death can stop a woman's tongue. Fre. (Having searched in vain) From the miller we may gain assistance; Grindoff no doubt is acquainted with every turn and outlet of the forest ;---quick, attend me to the mill. [Exeunt. SCENE III: The Cavern. Music. Robbers discovered asleep in different parts of the stage. Lothair as on guard, with a Carbine, stands beneath the Magazine. Lot. Ere this it must be day-light-yet Grindoff returns not-perchance their foul intent has fail'd---the fatal blow design'd for Friberg may have fallen upon himself. How tedious drags the time when fear, suspense, and doubt thus weigh upon the heart!-Oh, Kelmar, beloved Claudine, you little know my peril (looks at the parious groupes of Banditti, and carefully rests his carbine at the foot of the rugged steps leading to the Magazine) While yet this drunken stupor makes their sleep most death-like-let me secure a terrible but just revenge.-If their infernal purpose be accomplish'd, this is their reward-(draws a coil of fuze from his bosom) These caverns that spread beneath the mill, have various outlets, and in the fissures of the rock the train will lie unnoticed.-Could I but reach the magazine! Music. Lothair rétires cautiously as he places his foot over the body of a Robber, who is seen asleep on the steps leading to the Magazine; by accident he touches the carbine which slips down; the Robber being disturbed alters; his position while Lothair stands over him---but again re F poses---Lothair advances up the steps. As he arrives at the magazine, Wolf's signal is heard from above, the Robbers instantly start up, and Lothair at the same moment springs from the steps, and seizing his carbine stands in his previous attitude; immediately Wolf is seen descending the opening on the right with Claudine senseless in his arms. Robbers. The signal! Go. Wolf! We rejoice with you. Lot. Have you been successful? Gri. (Having set down Claudine) So far, I have. Lot. Claudine-merciful powers! (aside) But Kelmar Gri, Shall not long escape me-Kelmar once secure, his favourite, my redoubted rival, young Lothair, may next require attention. Where is Ravina ?-Oh, you are come. Enter RAVINA, Ra. I am; what is your will? Gri. That you attend Claudine-treat her as you would treat me. Ra. I will, be sure on't. Gri. Look you, fail not. Lead her in (Ravina assisted leads off Claudine.) I cannot wait her recovery, danger surrounds us. Robbers. Danger! Gri. Ay, every eye must be vigilant, every heart resolved-Riber has been stabbed, Lot. Then Friberg-- Gri. Has escaped. Lot. Thank heaven! Gri. How? [Re-enter Ravina, Lot. Friberg is still reserved for me. Gri. Be it so your firmness shall be proved, |