FREDERICK [starting]. I--I see the Baron! I!--I supplicate for my deliverance.--Will you favour me with his name?--Is it not Baron----
ANHALT. Baron Wildenhaim.
FREDERICK. Baron Wildenhaim! He lived formerly in Alsace.
ANHALT. The same.--About a year after the death of his wife, he left Alsace; and arrived here a few weeks ago to take possession of his paternal estate.
FREDERICK. So! his wife is dead;--and that generous young lady who came to my prison just now is his daughter?
ANHALT. Miss Wildenhaim, his daughter.
FREDERICK. And that young gentleman, I saw with him this morning, is his son?
ANHALT. He has no son.
FREDERICK [hastily]. Oh, yes, he has--[recollecting himself]--I mean him that was out shooting to-day.
ANHALT. He is not his son.
FREDERICK [to himself]. Thank Heaven!
ANHALT. He is only a visitor.
FREDERICK. I thank you for this information; and if you will undertake to procure me a private interview with Baron Wildenhaim----
ANHALT. Why private? However, I will venture to take you for a short time from this place, and introduce you; depending on your innocence, or your repentance--on his conviction in your favour, or his mercy towards your guilt. Follow me. [Exit.
FREDERICK [following]. I have beheld an affectionate parent in deep adversity.--Why should I tremble thus?--Why doubt my fort.i.tude, in the presence of an unnatural parent in prosperity? [Exit.
========== SCENE II. A Room in the Castle.
Enter BARON WILDENHAIM and AMELIA.
BARON. I hope you will judge more favourably of Count Ca.s.sel"s understanding since the private interview you have had with him.
Confess to me the exact effect of the long conference between you.
AMELIA. To make me hate him.
BARON. What has he done?
AMELIA. Oh! told me of such barbarous deeds he has committed.
BARON. What deeds?
AMELIA. Made vows of love to so many women, that, on his marriage with me, a hundred female hearts will at least be broken.
BARON. Psha! do you believe him?
AMELIA. Suppose I do not; is it to his honour that I believe he tells a falsehood?
BARON. He is mistaken merely.
AMELIA. Indeed, my Lord, in one respect I am sure he speaks truth.
For our old Butler told my waiting-maid of a poor young creature who has been deceived, undone; and she, and her whole family, involved in shame and sorrow by his perfidy.
BARON. Are you sure the Butler said this?
AMELIA. See him and ask him. He knows the whole of story, indeed he does; the names of the persons, and every circ.u.mstance.
BARON. Desire he may be sent to me.
AMELIA [goes to the door and calls]. Order old Verdun to come to the Baron directly.
BARON. I know tale-bearers are apt to be erroneous. I"ll hear from himself, the account you speak of.
AMELIA. I believe it is in verse.
BARON. [angry]. In verse!
AMELIA. But, then, indeed it"s true.
Enter BUTLER.
AMELIA. Verdun, pray have not you some true poetry?
BUTLER. All my poetry is true--and so far, better than some people"s prose.
BARON. But I want prose on this occasion, and command you to give me nothing else. [Butler bows.] Have you heard of an engagement which Count Ca.s.sel is under to any other woman than my daughter?
BUTLER. I am to tell your honour in prose?
BARON. Certainly. [Butler appears uneasy and loath to speak.]
Amelia, he does not like to divulge what he knows in presence of a third person--leave the room. [Exit Amelia.
BUTLER. No, no--that did not cause my reluctance to speak.
BARON. What then?
BUTLER. Your not allowing me to speak in verse--for here is the poetic poem. [Holding up a paper.]
BARON. How dare you presume to contend with my will? Tell in plain language all you know on the subject I have named.
BUTLER. Well, then, my Lord, if you must have the account in quiet prose, thus it was--Phoebus, one morning, rose in the East, and having handed in the long-expected day, he called up his brother Hymen----
BARON. Have done with your rhapsody.
BUTLER. Ay; I knew you"d like it best in verse----
There lived a lady in this land, Whose charms the heart made tingle; At church she had not given her hand, And therefore still was single.