Sir, sit and eat with us (goes to table)-Michael, take the gentleman's cloak and hat. Alt. He does not remember me. (Aside). cloak). Wandering thro' Normandy to Dieppe, I stop'd at the depôt, for the purpose of delivering a letter to the Commandant. Guil. (aside). That is true. Alt. It was the petition of the unfortunate Altieri, for the Commandant to interest himself in his behalf, and obtain, if possible, a new trial. Guil. Good; but why did he not wait his answer from the Commandant? (Aside). (Here MICHAEL, having laid the hat and cloak on a small table at the side, returns with a jug, and seeing the belt on the floor, picks it up). Mich. Here, Sir, is your Guil. (who has observed him, snatches the jug with his right hand and the belt with the left, which he conceals). Aye, right, Michael-give me leave, Sir-here is your wine. Jer. Ay, ay, 'tis right wine, i'faith-your health, Sir. Alt. Yours, friend, and all (drinks)—so―(they offer food).-Nay, I cannot eat-now then to repose. Guil. At your pleasure, Sir-'tis a homely couch, but with the reflection that you have this day done a kind action, it will as much refresh your aching limbs as tho' 'twere down that pillowed them. Alt. A heart at ease might find repose, but mine is breaking -Accept a soldier's gratitude.. The tender sigh, the balmy tear, Still may you claim a Soldier's thanks, (As ALTIBRI retires at the end of the Song, he offers money).` Guil. Nay, Sir, I do not wish to boast a foolish pride, but here your bounty would appear a recompense excuse me. YALTIERI grasps GUILLAUME's hand, and Kuttering the words, "Thanks, thanks," goes up the stairs). Jer. What was that he muttered? Lis. Poor creature, he looks very ill. Jer. So I say-he's the most ill-looking fellow I ever saw in my life. Guil. (examining the clasp). Here are some initials on the clasp that may lead to a discovery of the owner-How!-What can this meanE. A.! Jer. What's the matter?) * ?At the same time). Lis. Guillaume! Guil. Let me reflect-yes, it must be but sorrow has so changed him-he grasp❜d my hand with the warmth of gratitude-tears too were in his eyes-Yes, yes!-'twas his own petition he delivered-and I knew him not. Lis. Whom do you mean? Guil. Enrico Altieri! (a knock). Ha! who's that knocks at such an hour? Jaq. (without)-Guillaume! Guillaume! (Still knocks). Guil. Open the door-make haste (LISETTE opens it)-Ah, Jaques-and the Commandant ! To what lucky accident is my poor house indebted for this condescension ? Com. Attend! A person strangely habited has delivered a petition at the prison-gate addressed to me, in behalf of that wretch who killed my dearest friend, the Baron Holstien. A large cloak shrouded his figure, and the shade of his broad hat in part conceal'd his features-but I suspect Guil. What! Com. That 'tis he himself-Altieri. Guil. Altieri! Jaq. I saw him enter this house, and- Mich. Oh, father, it must be the stranger. Guil. That was here-no doubt, no doubt. (JEROME pushes MICHAEL to LISETTE). Jaq. The initials E. A. were on his belt. Mich. A belt! Oh yes, you know he drop'd it, father-and I gave it to you. (Here LISETTE catches MICHAEL aside Guil. You-you did-you did, Michael. Guil. The stranger snatch'd it from me as he fled. Jag. Fled! Guil. Ay-but come, pray sit down, Sir, and I'll inform you of the circumstance-There, Sir, there-fthey sit on a circular bench before the fire)-the air is sharp, and this old house but ill protects us-Lisette, draw the curtains—quick, quick, and bring some wine.. (ALTIERI at this instant appears on the stairs descending, but is prevented by a signal from LISETTE-he starts back, and is seen listening to the ensuing conversation).‹ Com. Come, your story Guil. I obey you, Sir-scarcely had I returned from my duty at the prison, when a man, dress'd as you describe, knock'd at my door, and was admitted he had a soldier's mien, and you know one's heart warms towards a comrade in distressbut he was hardly seated, when, fixing my eye stedfastly upon him, I thought I remember'd the features of the Count Altieri, who eluded my vigilance when I kept guard over him, and(Here GUILLAUME fixes his eyes earnestly on ALTIERI)... Jaq. Well! Guil. He seemed to read my thoughts-he suspected himself to be in danger, and, from the agitation I betray'd-he knew that to remain here one instant longer might be fatal to himand, spite of all anxiety-of all fatigue, he darted through that door Jaq. (turning) What, that door? Lis. (coming up at the instant, and interrupting the sight of JAQUES-Some wine, Sir ! Guil. Ay, that door, and escaped the very moment he would have been taken. Com. Which way went he? (rising.) Guil. No! The circumstance so much disturbed me, that, for a few moments I scarcely knew how to proceed. Com. He must be pursued instantly: no doubt he will take the road to Dieppe-Guillaume follow me-You can identify his person; and should it be your fortune to secure him, I will double the reward to you, which is offered by the state for Altieri's apprehension-On Guil. If it be possible to secure him, I will do it-not for your reward, but that my own conscience will afford me.. Jaq. Come, we loiter [Exeunt Com. and JAQUES. Guil. Michael, my sword (the bay brings it, and his cap). Lisette, my dear Lisette, thou hast done this well-once again we have preservedhim-Follow me to Dieppe instantly he will surely fly that way-so follow, for without thee, I am but half myself. Farewell! SCENE II. A Forest. [Music.-Exeunt. Enter ALTIERI. (Music).. Alt. I have outstrip'd my pursuers, and in this obscurity I may for a time repose my wearied limbs in safety. O unfortunate Altieri, to what a fate has man's oppression, and a just resentment of it reduced thee the gratitude of that soldier, the noble-hearted Guillaume, has twice preserved me-but now my only hope is to escape to England. The chance is desperate. (ALTIERI starts at the voices of his pursuers). |