Chapter 11

with Dancers and Musicians: a lofty Terrace crosses the extremity of the Stage, from which Village-Girls advance, scattering flowers before Geraldine, who is led by Florian to an open Temple between the Side-scenes, containing three Seats._

_Ger._ (_Pointing to the centre seat_) There is our hero's seat of triumph: nay, my commands are absolute, and you have no appeal, I reserve this for my uncle, he will join us presently.

(They seat themselves--a ballet immediately commences--boys, habited as warriors, pay homage before _Florian_, and hang military trophies round his seat. Girls enter, as wood-nymphs, &c. who surprise and disarm the warriors, then remove the trophies, and replace them with garlands. The warriors and nymphs join in a general dance--Suddenly a piercing shriek is heard: the action of the scene abruptly stops, and _Eugenia_, entering from the top of the stage, rushes distractedly between the groups of dancers, and casts herself at the feet of _Geraldine_.)

_Eug._ Save me! save me!

_Ger._ Ah! what wretched supplicant is this?

_Flor._ By heavens! the very woman who yesternight preserved my life.

_Longueville_ enters in pursuit.

_Long._ (_Advancing rapidly, with instant self-command_) Dear friends! Heaven has this hour appointed me the agent of its grace. I have discovered in this wretched woman, the long-lost wife of an ancient friend, at Baden; lend your assistance to secure her person 'till I can apprise the husband of this unexpected meeting.

_Eug._ No, no, I have no husband--they have murdered him; he would betray--destroy me. (_catching Geraldine's robe_) Oh! you, whose looks are heavenly-soft, to _you_ I plead: protect me from this fiend.

_Ger._ How earnestly she grasps my hand, indeed--indeed her agony seems genuine.

_Long._ You are deceived, she utters nought but madness, her mind has been for years incurably diseased; come, away! away!

(He seizes violently upon _Eugenia_ to force her with him, she clings to _Geraldine_ in anguish.)

_Eug._ Forsake me not! I have no protector to invoke but you.

_Ger._ Forbear, my lord, I cannot find that wildness you proclaim; forbear, and recollect the rights of hospitality never yet were violated at my uncle's gate. Lady, dismiss your fears, here sorrow ever meets a ready shelter, for here resides the Count De Valmont.

_Eug._ Who?

_Ger._ The excellent, the suffering Count De Valmont.

_Eug._ (_starting up with recurring insanity._) Ha! ha! ha! come to the altar,--my love waits for me, weave me a bridal crown!

_Long._ (_triumphantly._) Behold! can you doubt me now?

_Ger._ Too painfully I am convinced; miserable being! Ah! remove her hence, before my uncle joins us; so terrible an object would inexpressibly afflict him.

_Flor._ Yes, yes; remove her hence! but O! I charge you treat her with the tenderest care.

_Long._ (_eagerly to his people._) Advance! bear her to my pavilion! mark! to _my_ pavilion on the river-bank!

(The men seize upon _Eugenia_--the _Count_ appears at the same moment advancing from the extremity of the Terrace.)

_De Val._ My friends! I come to join your pleasures.

_Eug._ (_struggling violently._) Hark! he calls me to his arms--unhand me! nay, then oh! cruel, cruel, cruel.

(Overcome by her exertions, she sinks into a swoon and falls in the arms of the two men. _Longueville_ rapidly draw her veil across to conceal her features from the _Count_ as he advances.)

_Long._ Away with her this instant!

[He turns quickly toward the Terrace and catches De Valmont's arm as he descends to prevent his approach--then turns imperatively to the men.]

_Long._ Quick! Quick! away!

_De Valmont_ pauses in surprize: _Longueville_ maintains his restraining attitude. _Florian_ and _Geraldine_ join to arrest his steps: the bravos withdraw the insensible and unresisting _Eugenia_ upon the opposite side: The various characters dispose themselves into a picture, and the curtain falls upon the Scene.

End of act II.