Act II. Apartment in the Castle of Lammermoor. "Il pallor funesto,

orrendo" (See these cheeks so pale and haggard).

[Music: Il pallor funesto, orrendo]

In this sad air _Lucy_ protests to her brother against the marriage which he has arranged for her with _Bucklaw_. _Henry_ then shows her the forged letter, which leads her to believe that she has been betrayed by her lover. "Soffriva nel pianto, languia nel dolore" (My sufferings and sorrow I've borne without repining) begins the duet between _Lucy_ and _Henry_ with an especially effective cadenza--a dramatic number.

Though believing herself deserted by _Edgar_, _Lucy_ still holds back from the thought of marriage with another, and yields only to save her brother from a traitor's death, and even then not until she has sought counsel from _Raymond_, the chaplain of Lammermoor, who adds his persuasions to _Henry's_.

The scene of the signing of the dower opens with a quick, bright chorus of guests who have assembled for the ceremony.

[Music]

There is an interchange of courtesies between _Henry_ and _Arthur_; and then _Lucy_ enters. The sadness of her mien is explained by her brother to _Arthur_ on the ground that she is still mourning the death of her mother. Desperate, yet reluctant, _Lucy_ signs the contracts of dower; and at that moment, one of the most dramatic in opera, _Edgar_, a sombre figure, but labouring under evident though suppressed tension, appears at the head of the broad flight of steps in the background, and slowly comes forward.

The orchestra preludes briefly:

[Music]

The greatest ensemble number in Italian opera, the sextet, has begun. _Edgardo_: "Chi mi frena in tal momento? Chi troncò dell'ire il corso?" (What restrains me at this moment? Why my sword do I not straightway draw?):

[Music: Chi mi frena in tal momento?]

Because he sees _Lucy_ "as a rose 'mid tempest bending":

[Music]

Even _Henry_ is moved to exclaim, "To my own blood I am a traitor":

[Music]

The chorus swells the volume of sound, but _Lucy's_ voice soars despairingly above all:

[Music]

_Lucy_ and _Edgar_--they are the victims of _Henry's_ treachery, as will soon transpire.