ACT V. SCENE I.

RUD.--(_Leah comes down stage gently and sad, listening_). Think, Madalena, of her lot and mine. While I clasp a tender wife, and a lovely child; she wanders in foreign lands, suffering and desolate. It is not alone her curse that haunts me, it is her pale and gentle face, which I seem to see in my dreams, and which so sadly says to me,

"I have forgiven!" Oh, Madalena, could I but hear her say this, and tell her how deeply I feel that I have wronged her--could I but wet her hands with my repentent tears, then would I find peace.

MAD.--Rudolf, a thought! In yonder valley camps a company of Jews who are emigrating to America; perhaps one of them may be able to give you news of Leah, and if you find her, she shall share the blessings of our home. She shall be to me a dear sister! _(Leah hastily conceals herself.)_ Ha, that beggar woman, where is she? _(Looks around.)_ Perhaps she belongs to the tribe; perhaps she may tell you of her.

RUD.--How say you? A beggar woman?

MAD.--Yes, a poor Jewess, whom I rescued to-day. She must now be in the house. Oh, come, Rudolf, let us find her. All may yet be well! _[Exeunt in house._

_Enter Leah from behind a hayrick._

LEAH.--Have I heard aright? The iron bands seem melting, the cold dead heart moves, and beats once more! The old life returns. Rudolf! _(tears.)_ My Rudolf. No, no, he is no longer mine! The flame is extinguished, and only the empty lamp remains above the sepulchre of my heart. No, Madalena, no, I shall not remain to be a reproach to you both. I will wander on with my people, but the hate I have nourished has departed. I may not love, but I forgive--yes, I forgive him. But his child. Oh, I should so like to see his child!

_Child comes to doorway from house._

Fear not, little one, come hither.

CHILD.--_(coming towards her)._ Is it you? Father seeks you.

LEAH.--His very image. _(kisses her,)_ What is your name, my darling?

CHILD.--Leah.

LEAH.--What say you? Leah?

CHILD.--Did you know the other Leah?--she whom mother and father speak of so often, and for whom every night I must pray?

LEAH.--_(With emotion, kissing her, and giving her a withered rose- wreath, which she takes from inside her dress)_ Take this, my pretty one.

CHILD.--A rose-wreath?

LEAH--Take it, and give it your father. Say to him your little prayer has been heard, and that Leah--_(emotion)_--Leah forgives. _(going, returns again, kisses child, and with extended arms and choking voice.)_ Bless, you, darling! _(extending arms to house.)_ And you, and you-- and all--and all'. _(goes to fence, totters, and sinks down, endeavoring to exit.)_

_Enter Rudolf and Madalena from house._

RUD.--Not here!

CHILD--_(running to Madalena.)_ See, mother, see what the strange woman gave me. _(showing wreath.)_

MAD.--_(not noticing child)_ Where is she?

CHILD.--She has gone away _(running to Rudolf with wreath.)_ See, father.

RUD.--_(taking wreath.)_ A rose-wreath. Great heaven, Madalena, it must have been Leah; it is my wreath. Leah!

MAD.--It was she!

RUD.--Yes, it was Leah. By this token we are reconciled. _(Leah moans.)_ Ha, what sound is that?

MAD.--_(going to the prostrate figure.)_ Quick, Rudolf! It is she. _(they run to her, raise her up, and bear her to front.)_

LEAH.--_(feebly.)_ I tried to go, but my strength forsook me. I shall, at least, then, die here!

RUD.--Die! No, no; speak not of dying, you shall live!

LEAH.--No; I am too happy to live. See, Madalena, I take his hand, but it is to place it in yours. All is over. _(sinks into their arms.)_

SCENE FROM PIZARRO.