Ra. So-one act of villany is spared you; pursue your fate no farther-Desist, be warned in time.

Gri. Fool! Could woman's weakness urge me to retreat, my duty to our band would now make such repentance treachery.

Robbers. Noble captain!

Gri. Mark you, my comrades, Kelmar has fled; left his house-no doubt for the Chateau Friberg. The suspicions of the Count are upon him. All mistrust of me is banished from his mind, and I have lured him and his companion to the cottage of our lost comrade Riber.

Lot. How came Claudine to fall into your power?

Gri. I encounter'd her alone as I left Kelmar's cottage. She had been to seek her father; I seized the opportunity, and conveyed her to the secre pass in the forest; her cries caused me to be pursued, and one instant later I had fallen into their hands by this time they have recovered the path-way to the mill. Spiller shall supply Riber's place-be prepared to meet them at the Flask, and prove yourself

2

Lot. The man I am; I swear it.
Gri. Enough, I am content.

Ra. Content!-Such guilt as thine can never feel content. Never will thy corroded heart have rest Years of security have made you rash, incautious-wanton in thy cruelty-and you will never rest until your mistaken policy destroys your band.

Gri. No more of this-Her discontent is dangerous---Spiller !-when you are prepared to leave the cavern, make fast the door; Ravina shall remain here confined until our work above is finished.

Lot. I understand

Gri. Golotz and the rest-who are wont to cheer our revels with your music, be in waiting at the Flask, as travellers, wandering Savoyardstill the Count and his follower are safe within our toils; the delusion may spare us trouble. I know them resolute and fierce-and should they once. suspect, tho' our numbers overpower them, the purchase may cost us dear---away--time presses. Spiller--remember!...

[Exit Gri. and Robbers. Lot. Fear me not---you soon shall know me. (As Wolf, &c. go off, Lothair immediately runs up the steps to the Magazine, and places the fuze within, closes the door, and directs it towards the trap by which he first enter'd the cave.

Ra. Now then hold firm my heart and hand ; one act of vengeance, one dreadful triumph, and I meet henceforth the hatred, the contempt of Wolf, without a sigh. Accustomed here to scenes of death, deeds that once had made me shrink, with horror, degenerate nature now consents to act---(in great agitation)

(She advances to the table, and taking a phial from her.

bosom pours it into a cup---some liquor on it---and goes cautiously across the stage to where Claudine has been conducted.

Ra. As she revives---ere yet her bewilder'd senses proclaim her situation, she will drink--and--

,,

(Lothair who has watched the conduct of Ravina, at this moment seizes the cup and casts it away.

Lot. Hold, mistaken woman; is this your pity for the unfortunate---of your own sex too? Are you the advocate of justice and of mercy--who dare condemn the cruelty of Wolf---yet with your own hand would destroy an innocent fel

low creature---broken-hearted, helpless and for-lorn? Oh shame !---shame !--

Ra. And who is he that dares to school me thus? Lot. Who am I !!

Ra. Ay that talk of justice and of mercy, yet pant to shed the blood of Friberg!

Lob. (aside) Now, dared I trust her---I must, there is no resource, for they'll be left together. Ravina---say, what motive urged you to attempt an act that I must believe is hateful to your nature?

Ra. Have I not cause--ample cause?

Lot. I may remove it.

Ra. Can you remove the pangs of jealousy? Lot. I can---Claudine will never be the bride of Wolf.

Ra, Who can prevent it?

Lot. Her husband.

Ra. Is it possible.

Lot. Be convinced---Claudine, Claudine! Cla.(Entering)'Tis he, 'tis he, then I am safe. Ah! who are these, and in what dreadful place am I ? Lot. Beloved Claudine, can this disguise conceal me?

Cla. Lothair---I was not deceived, (falls into his arms.)

Ra. Lothair!

Lot. Ay, her affianced husband--- Ravina, our lives are in your power; preserve them and save yourself; one act of glorious repentance, and the blessings of the surrounding country are yours. Observe!

(Music. Lothair points to the Magazine; shews the train to Ravina, and explains his intention; then gives a phosphorus bottle which he shews the purpose of; she comprehends him. Claudine's action, astonishment and terror. Lotheir opens the trap.)

Be careful, be cautious, I implore you;-convey the train where I may distinctly see you from without the mill; and above all, let no anxiety of mind, no fear of failure, urge you to fire the train, till I give the signal.-Remember, Claudine might be the victim of such fatal indiscretion.

Ra. But, Wolf.

(At this moment Wolf returns, and hearing his name halts at the back of the scene.

Lot. Wolf with his guilty companions shall fall despised and execrated-Ah! remove the train.

Wolf. Villain!

[aside.

(Levels a pistol at Lothair, Ravina utters an exclamation of horror-Claudine retreats, and removes the train to the foot of the steps.

Lot. Hold-you are deceived.

Wolf. Do you acknowledge it?-but 'tis the last time.

Lot. One moment.

Wolf. What further deception?

Let. I have used none-hear the facts.

Wolf. What are they?

Lot. Hatred to thee-jealousy of the fair Claudine urged this woman to attempt her life, (points to Claudine.)

Wolf. Indeed!-for what purpose was that pass disclosed? (pointing to the trup.)

Lot. I dared not leave them together.

Wolf. Vain subterfuge-your threat of destruction on me and my companions-

Lot. Was a mere trick, a forgery, a fabrication to appease her disappointed spirit--induce her to quit the cave, and leave Claudine in safety.

Wolf. Plausible hypocrite-Ravina has no weapon of destruction-how then?

Lot. Ah! We are saved (aside)-Behold, let conviction satisfy your utmost doubts.

(He snatches the phial which Ravina has retained in her hand.

Wolf. (Looking on the label) Poison !-you then are honest-Wolf unjust-I can doubt no longer. Fiend! descend instantly, in darkness and despair anticipate a dreadful punishment [Music. (Ravina clasps her hands in entreaty, and descends the trap, which is closed violently by Wolf.

Wolf. Now, Spiller, follow me.

(Wolf takes his broad Miller's hat which had caused his return, and Exit. Lothair following, and looking back significantly at Claudine, who then advances, cautiously opens the trap, gives the train to Ravina---and Exit. to the side to where she was first conducted, Music appropriate during this.

SCENE IV.

The Cottage of RIBER. The Sign of the Flask. Enter FREDERICK.

Fre. How long must these perplexing strange events keep me from my home, my friends, my wife? Wearied with the toils of war, on the wings of expectation I flew to the enjoyment of repose and peace!-Well, a few short hours, and patience

· Enter KARL,

Fre. This must be the house!