Act II.

SCENE I.

Outskirt of the Town of Dieppe-the Harbour in the distance-Cottage on the left-Peasants and JEROME discovered-The Vintage.

CHORUS.

Lads and lasses, while they labour,

Cheerly chaunt the roundelay,
Then at eve the pipe and tabor

Closes merrily the day.

Jer. Cease, lads-cease your labour; girls, give over work, for all to-day is holiday and joy. Peasants. What, Old Jerome! Welcome, Jerome, welcome!

Jer. Thank you, thank you-but go, go and prepare a welcome for the beautiful and good Miss Arundel. She is just returned from a visit, and brought me with her-Heaven bless her for her kindness, I say. (Bells.)-Hark! the bells are ringing to celebrate the event, and we must have none but merry faces, and hearts as light as mine -away with you!

Enter LISETTE.

-Ah, Lisette, you run-away rogue, I am he before you!

Lis. I have heard it all.

Jer. Have you heard of Altieri?

Lis. Yes-all is yet safe.

Jer. Safe!-that's joyful news. Poor lady,

when I told her what had happened, she took on sadly 'tis pity, truly, that she who feels so much for the misfortunes of others, should have any of her own to trouble her. But where is

Guillaume?.

Lis. Oh, he'll soon follow me, I'll warrant. Jer. Ah, thou hast attractions, and 'tis but right, for he can never stir but you are close at his heels-just as your mother served meWell, child, thy love holds merrily.

Lis. Aye, truly does it.I could follow him still in wealth or poverty, and never heave a sigh of sorrow but when his duty calls him from

me.

SONG LISETTE.

[Omitted after the first representation].

When Guillaume first tried,

To make me his bride,

Then I was the joy of his life,

And the honey-moon's light

On our wedding shone bright,
For he call'd me his dear little wife.
I sung lira, la, la, &c.

When he call'd me his dear little wife.

But the honey-moon set,

The poor man in a pet,
Began thus a conjugal strife-

I am busy, pray go,

And because I said, "No,"

He cried, "Zounds, what a plague of a wife,"

I sung lira, la, la, &c.

Yet I still am his dear little wife.

[Exit LISETTE to Cottage-JEROME up the Vineyard.

Jer. Ah, well; I must see after our little festival-You get every thing ready within. Our [Exit up Stage. [Eait LISETTE to Cottage.

lady will be here anon.

Enter on the opposite side, the COMMANDANT and JAQUES.

Com. This is their haunt-We are arriv'd in time.

Jaq. 'Tis evident-Guillaume is treacherous, and

Com. Be silentbe cautious-you are too violent-should accident in any way discover that Holstien still lives

Jaq. Lives!-does Holstien live?-I thoughtCom. (aside). 'Sdeath-'tis too late-so far I must trust him-He does; but Holstien is my dearest friend, and I wish to serve him. He tendered his affection to this Eliza Arundel, and was rejected she preferred the youth Altieri.-Smarting with disappointment, Holstien exerted his authority beyond endurance-he reviled, he dishonor'd, and at length he struck the boy Enrico-In a distant province they met, and fought.

Jaq. I remember

Com. Holstien fell Altieri fled, and concealed himself, convinced the wound he gave his enemy was mortal; and on this belief does Holstien's future hope depend-for still he loves this girl.

Jaq. Then why not try his fortune now?

Com. Until this fugitive Altieri be taken 'tis useless; therefore lurk near the house, and watch them carefully-but for your life mention not the Baron to a human being-should they once know that Holstien lives, 'twould mar us

E

instantly This paper, signed by the Intendant of Police, is the order for his apprehension. Whatever assistance you may want, this will procure (gives a purse)-be faithful, and remember your reward. [Exit COMMANDANT.

Jaq. To thwart this haughty Guillaume, would have been sufficient recompense, but this private service money has fixed me-a smart affair enough-but what does it contain (empties the purse)-Oh! this will do.

(Music heard.-JAQUES retires--Enter LiSETTE from Cottage: she places a table seats, fruit, &c. as the Villagers advance with ELIZA ARUNDEL, JEROME-first, joyfully).

Lis. They are coming! I hear the music. (Advances to meet EL:ZA).

Eliz. Ah, Lisette, my poor girl-ever the first to welcome home your mistress.

Jer. 'Tis her duty, lady

Lis. And I'm sure my greatest pleasure. Eliz. Good girl-but where is Guillaume? Has he brought Altieri hither?

Lis. Not yet.

Jaq. Altieri!-so

(Aside-watching from his concealment). Eliz. Poor Enrico!-love has been thy only crime-justly, but rashly resenting the insults of a detested rival, thy only fault.

Jer. Be of good cheer, lady-in this cottage you may see him in safety.

Eliz. True, I may once again see him, whom, to my unfeeling aunt, I dare not confess is so dear to me. The unexpected appearance of my brother, Captain Laurel, has given me new hope: to him I have disclosed our situation, and he has promised to assist us.

Jaq. Indeed! (Aside).

Eliz. When the tide turns at sun-set, a boat will be ready on the shore-a vessel will be lying-to in the harbour, and in a few short hours Altieri will breathe the air of liberty.

Jer. Aye, in England!-'tis the wanderer's

home!

Eliz. But I interrupt your merriment-come! (ELIZA seats herself at the table, attended by JEROME and LISETTE.-A Pastoral Dance commences the various implements of the Vintage, with ribbons and flowers, made use of in a gay fanciful arrangement.-JAQUES looks occasionally from his concealment.-As the Dance concludes, GUILLAUME enters in haste and alarm, followed by ALTIERI-in GUILLAUME'S hand the cloak, &c.)

Guil. Courage, Sir, courage! this is to be your place of concealment.

Jaq. (behind). Is it so!-Now to the Com

mandant.

Guil. Ah! whose voice was that?

Eliz. (Having risen from the table, at the interruption)-Eurico! my beloved Enrico! Alt. Eliza, here I

Guil. Stay not in this spot-you may be ob served-retire to the cottage, I entreat you. [ELIZA, LTIERI, and LISETTE Exeunt. Jer. (to Peasants). Away lasses, away boys→→ away-away with you. [Exit Peasants. -What has happen'd? (to GUILLAUME).

Guil. We have been seen-watch'd-this coat and this belt must be destroy'd-As we pass'd hither, the Commandant, or i am much mistaken, cross'd our path-if he has discover'd us my life is forfeit.