Chapter 15

distance--on one side a pavilion extends obliquely, through the lower windows of which lights appear--nearly opposite is a small bower of lattice-work.--The moon at full, has just risen above the German bank, and pours its radiance upon the water. _Bertrand_ is discovered watching the pavilion._

_Bert._ I watch in vain; all means of access to the prisoner are debarred: her chamber now is dark and silent: still tapers glare and voices murmur from the hall beneath: the baron and Sanguine are there: 'tis against life these midnight plotters stir. Oh! that this heart might bleed to its last guilty drop in ransom for Eugenia! Soft! does not the dashing of a distant oar disturb the silence of the tide? Yes; just where the moonlight gleams a boat now crosses rapidly; it rows towards this bank; it pauses now in stillness--what may this mean? the hour so late, the spot so unfrequented and remote. (_A bugle is sounded three times_) Ha! a bugle sounded thrice! too sure the omen of some fatal deed. I will not quit this spot--no, Eugenia, I will preserve or perish with thee! Soft, the pavilion opens. Bower, receive me to thy friendly shades! watch with me blessed spirits.

(He retires into the bower fronting the pavilion. _Longueville_ advances cautiously from the pavilion.)

_Long._ 'Twas the signal! the boat has reached the bank, Ho! Lenoire! advance: no eye observes thy step.

Enter _Lenoire_ along the bank by an entrance between the bower and the river.

_Len._ All is prepared: your orders are fulfiled.

_Long._ Laggard! too many precious moments have been wasted in their execution: the moon has risen high, and casts a brightness round scarce feebler than the day: your course may be observed.

_Len._ Dismiss that fear: nothing that lives hath voice or motion: now, not e'en the solitary fisher spreads his nets upon the stream.

_Long._ Where have you left the boat?

_Len._ Under the bank in shade, fastened to the roots of yon tall willow.

_Long._ Sanguine shall accompany you; then when you reach the middle of the current--

_Len._ Ay, where it flows deep and strong; Eugenia's funeral rites are few and brief.

_Long._ To-morrow, I shall report she has been conveyed in safety to her friends upon the German bank--thus all inquiry stands forever barred.

[_Bertrand_, who watches from the bower, clasps his hands in despair and groans aloud.]

_Long._ Ha! what sound was that?

_Len._ (_looking cautiously round._) Some tree moaning to the blast--no more.

_Long._ Now then! yet hold! wherefore come you not masked? some of the peasantry may chance to stir ere you return, and I should wish your persons were unmarked by any.

_Len._ I left a mask within the boat; this flowing mantle will conceal my dress--trust me both form and feature shall effectually be hid.

(_Bertrand_ makes a gesticulation of hope towards the pavilion, then glides silently round the angle of the bower, and starts along the bank.)

_Long._ 'Tis well! (_to the pavilion._) Ho! Sanguine! lead forth your charge: despatch, Lenoire! return to the boat, and row it swiftly hither! Away!

[Exit _Lenoire_.

She comes! Ill-starred Eugenia! fate chides the lingering echo of thy step, yet but a moment and 'tis hushed forever.

_Sanguine_ leads _Eugenia_ from the pavilion._

_Eug._ Ah! whither do you lead me? Speak, in pity--nay, nay, I prithee force me not; this is a savage hour, and I must fear your purpose, speak, whither would you hurry me? Ah! Longueville! now then I read my answer--'tis to death--to murder!

_Long._ Lady, you misjudge my purpose--true, that once I proved myself your foe, perhaps a kindless one; time and pity have extinguished hate. Across the Rhine, upon the German bank, a safe asylum is provided, where peace shall gild the evening of your life, and cure the memory of its early woes; 'tis necessary you should cross the river before dawn; a boat is now in readiness to bear you over.

_Eug._ No, no, I find a language in your eye more certain than your lip--murder--midnight murder is its direful theme. Thou wretched man! rather for thee than for myself I kneel. Pause, Longueville! raise but thine eye to yon clear world, thick-sown with shining wonders--think, that throughout the boundless beauteous space, an omnipresent, and all-conscious spirit is; think, that within his awful eye-beam, now thy actions pass, and presently before his throne must wait for judgment; think, that whene'er he touched the veriest worm, that crawls on this base sphere, with life, mighty his will encompassed it with safety! then, tremble, creature as thou art, to spurn his law by whom thou wert created, nor quench with impious hand, that gifted spark Omnipotence hath once ordained to glow.

_Long._ Lady, already I have said, your auguries wrong me (_the noise of a combat sounds from the bank._) Ha! the crash of swords! Sanguine! fly to the spot. Lenoire, I fear me, is in danger.

[Exit _Sanguine_.

Confusion to my hopes! what ill-beamed planet rules the hour? Eugenia, return to the pavilion.

_Eug._ Not, while succour seems so nigh, help! help!

_Long._ Dare but repeat that cry, by heavens! this very moment is your last. (_draws a dagger._) Nay, nay, you strive in vain,--away!

[_Longueville_ forces _Eugenia_ into the pavilion, then drags a bar across the door.

What cursed step has wandered on these banks to thwart my ripe design? Perdition to the meddling slave! his life shall pay the forfeit of his rashness.

Re-enter _Sanguine_.

_Sang._ My lord, the combatants, whoe'er they were, had vanished ere I reached the spot; close to the water's edge the turf was stained with blood, and already to a distance from the bank, Lenoire had rowed away the boat; I called aloud, but he increased his speed, and gave no answer.

_Lon._ 'Sdeath! some prying hind has stolen on our plans; doubtless Lenoire has been assailed and for a while avoids the bank, fearful of further ambush; follow me to search yon winding path; if the villian have received a wound, traces of blood will guide us to his haunt,--vengeance direct our steps! [_Exit, with Sanguine._

[_Eugenia_ appears at the lower windows through a grating.]

_Eug._ Fond, trusting heart! art thou again deceived? does the great thunder sleep, and are the heavens still patient of a murderer's crimes; yes, yes, the sounds have ceased, and now a dreadful stillness sits upon the night; the tomb seems imaged in the hour. Hope in the breathless pause forsakes my breast forever.

Enter _Florian_.

_Flor._ Ha! lights still burning--fortunately then he has not retired to rest,--baron! baron! [_Runs to the door._

_Eug._ (_Shrieks._) Ah! the voice of succour--turn, turn in pity--snatch me from despair--preserve me from the grave.

_Flor._ Heavens!

[Involuntarily he withdraws the bar, and _Eugenia_ darting forth, clings wildly round him.]

_Flor._ Unhappy woman! whence these transports?

_Eug._ Swear to preserve me, swear not to yield me to the murderer's dagger; no, no, you have a human heart; am I not safe with you?

_Flor._ My honor and my manhood both are pledges for your safety: but who is the enemy you dread!

_Eug._ Longueville; he seeks my life: nay, nay, I am not mad, indeed I am not; turn not from me: look with compassion on a desolate, devoted creature, whom man conspires to wrong, and Heaven forgets to aid.

_Flor._ Appease these agonies; by my eternal hope, I swear, whatever the danger, or the foe that threatens, I will defend you with my life from injury.

_Eug._ A wretch's blessing crown thee for the generous vow! oh! let my soul dissolve and gush in tears upon this gracious hand!

[_Eugenia_ enthusiastically clasps Florian's hand, and covers it with tears and caresses; suddenly a new impulse appears to direct her actions: she rubs the back of the hand she has seized with strange earnestness, and a tremor pervades her entire frame.]

_Flor._ Why do you fasten thus your looks upon my hand: what moves your wonder?

_Eug._ (_tremblingly._) This scar, this deep, _deep_ scar, that with a crimson cross o'erseams your hand; speak, how gained you first this dreadful mark?

_Flor._ From infancy I recollect the stamp, its cause remains unknown.

_Eug._ Who were your parents?

_Flor._ Alas! that knowledge never blessed my heart. I am a foundling: eighteen years since, in a forest at the foot of the Cevennes--

_Eug._ Ah! did watchful angels then--yes, yes, twice the dagger struck! 'tis nature's holy proof!

_Flor._ Merciful heavens! you then possess the secret of my birth: woman! woman! pronounce my parents' name, and I will worship you.

_Eug._ Your parents! ah! they were, ah! ah!

[She attempts to enfold him with her arms, but faints as he receives the embrace.]

_Flor._ Speak! I conjure you, speak! breathe but their sacred name! she hears me not, and nature struggles at my heart in vain!

Enter _Longueville_ and _Sanguine_ at distance.

_Long._ The lurking knave, whate'er his aim, has fled beyond our search, and all is now secure. Has Lenoire return'd your signal to approach the bank?

_Sang._ He rows towards us now--nay, look--the boat draws close.

_Long._ Then to our last decisive deed!

[Passing to the pavilion he beholds the characters in front, and starts.]

Ha! confusion and despair! Eugenia rescued, and in Florian's arms!

_Flor._ Help, baron!--swiftly help!--aid me to preserve a dying woman!

_Long._ Florian! by what wild chance at such unwonted hour I find you on this spot, admits not of inquiry now--but for this fair impostor, resign her to my care--with me her safety is at once assured.

_Flor._ Pardon me, Longueville; whate'er the laws of courtesy demand, I yield--but to this female's fate my soul is newly bound by ties so strange and strong, that even your displeasure must not part us.

[The alarum-bell tolls from the castle.]

_Long._ Ha! the castle is alarmed--look out, Sanguine:--what means this tumult?

_Sang._ My lord! the glare of numerous torches wavers through the grove--this way the crowd directs its course.

_Long._ Distraction! --Florian, beware my just resentment, and instantly resign this woman! (_Attempting to force her from him._)

_Flor._ Never!--my word stands pledged for her protection, and only with my life will I desert my honor.

_Long._ Hell!--ho! Lenoire! --Lenoire!

[He rushes furiously to the bank, and motions to the boat.]

_Eug._ (_just recovering._) Stay, blessed vision!-- (_recognizing Florian_) ah! 'twas real--I fold him to my heart, and am blessed at last.

[The boat, rowed by a man enveloped in a mantle and a masque, at that instant gains the bank.]

_Long._ (_triumphantly_) Ha! the boat arrives!--now then presumptuous boy! receive the chastisement you dare provoke.

[He draws and rushes upon _Florian_, who disengages himself from _Eugenia_ and stands upon the defence.]

_Flor._ In the just cause I would not shrink before a giant's arm! (_they engage._)

_Eug._ (_frantic_) Inhuman Longueville!--forbear! forbear!

[While _Florian_ encounters _Longueville_, _Sanguine_ suddenly darts upon _Eugenia_, who is too enfeebled to resist; by the action of a moment he transports her from her protector's side to the Baron's. Florian's position is next to the audience, so that Longueville's sword now equally intercepts him from _Eugenia_ and from the river.]

_Long._ (_Perceiving his advantage_) Away!--drag--her to the boat--be mine the task to curb her champion's valor.

_Flor._ Hold! dastard--unless thou art dead to every sense of manhood--hold!

_Long._ Boy! I triumph, and deride thy baffled spleen.

[_Sanguine_ lifts _Eugenia_ into the boat, and the masque receives her.]

_Eug._ (_from the boat_) Great nature! speed my dying words! --Thou dear-lov'd youth! thy mother blesses thee--long-lost--late-found-- behold! she struggles _now_ to bless her child--and _now_ she dies content!

_Flor._ Eternal Providence! what words were those? --Longueville! --Barbarian! --Fiend!

[He rushes madly upon the _Baron_, who parries the assault; then in an agony casts himself before his feet.]

Oh! if thou art human, hold! --I kneel--I fall thy slave--spurn me--trample on my neck--take my life--but O! respect and spare my parent!

_Sang._ (_from the boat_) Decide, my lord; the crowd approach, already they o'erlook the bank.

_Long._ 'Twere vain to pause--I founder upon either course--nay then, revenge shall brighten ruin; swift! plunge your poniards in Eugenia's bosom! let me behold my victim perish, and then commit me to my fate!

_Flor._ (_starting up in desperation_) Monster!

_Long._ They come--obey me, slaves!

[_Sanguine_ draws _Eugenia_ back, and the _Masque_ lifts a dagger over her.]

_Sang._ We are prepared.

_Long._ Now.

_Sang._ Comrade! strike!

_Masque._ Ay! to the heart!

[The _Masque_ rapidly darts his arm across Eugenia's figure and plunges the dagger into _Sanguine_, who reels beneath the blow and falls into the stream.

(_triumphantly_) Eugenia is preserved!

[With one arm he supports the lady, and with the other snatches away the masque and discovers the features of _Bertrand_.

_Long._ Bertrand--perfidious slave! eternal palsies strike thy arm!

[_Gaspard_, _Monica_, _Domestics_, &c. with torches, enter at the moment and surround the baron, whose surprise bereaves him of power to resist.]

_Flor._ Secure the villain, yet forbear his life--Mother! Mysterious blessing--ah! yield her to my arms--my heart!

[_Bertrand_ resigns _Eugenia_ to Florian's embrace.]

_Eug._ My boy, my only one--Bertrand! life is thy gift, and now indeed I bless thee for the boon.

_Bert._ I swore to save you, I have kept my oath, unseen I watched, unknown I ventured in your cause--your forgiveness half relieves my soul, and now I dare to pray for heaven's!

Enter _De Valmont_, supported by _Geraldine_ and _Domestics_.

_De Val._ Ah! 'tis she, dear worshipp'd form; she lives--she lives.

_Eug._ Ah! shield me--Florian, yon phantom shape--death surely hovers near--

_De Val._ Nay, fly me not, Eugenia! tis thy lord, thy living lord, thy once beloved De Valmont calls: thou dear divorced-one bless these outstretch'd arms--I kneel and woo thee for my bride again!

[_Florian_ leads _Eugenia_ trembling and uncertain to the _Count_, he catches her irresolute hand.]

_Eug._ Indeed, my wedded lord! --I wept for a dear warrior once; and did the sword forbear so just a heart?--ah! chide not love, joy kills as well as grief--

[She sinks gradually into his embrace, and he supports her on his breast in speechless tenderness.]

_Long._ Detested sight! well, well, curses are weak revenge, and I'll disdain their use.

_Flor._ Remove the monster to some sure confinement. The Count hereafter shall pronounce his punishment.

_Long._ Already I endure my heaviest curse. I view the objects of my hatred crown'd with joy. Come! to a dungeon!--darkness is welcome, since it hides me from exulting foes! [_Exit._

_Ger._ (_advancing with tenderness._) Florian!--friend--ah! yet a dearer name--you rob me of a birth-right, still I must greet my new-found kinsman.

_Flor._ Geraldine! what means my love?

_De Val._ Florian! Heaven mysteriously o'er-watch'd thy hour of peril, and led a father through the desert, unconsciously to succour and redeem his child.

_Flor._ Ha! De Valmont's glorious blood then circles in these veins! --My parent, my preserver! Ha! twice has existence been my father's gift.

_De Val._ My pride thus long in humbleness!--my forest-prize! my foundling boy!--thou had'st my blessing ere I knew thy claim. Eugenia, greet our mutual image. Ah! wilt thou weep, sweet love. Thou bendest o'er his forehead e'en as a lily, brimming with clear dews, that stoops in beauteous sorrow to embathe its neighbouring bud. Thro' many a storm of perilous and marring cares o'erborne, our long-benighted loves at last encounter on a sun-bright course, and reach the haven of domestic peace.

Thus Judah's pilgrim--one whose steps in vain Climb sky-crown'd rocks--o'erpace the burning plain, Just when his soul despairs--his spirits faint, Achieves the threshold of his long-sought Saint: The desert's danger--storms and ruffian-bands-- All sink forgotten as the shrine expands-- Feet cure their toil that touch the hallow'd floors-- He rests his staff--kneels, trembles, and adores!

[Exeunt Omnes.

* * * * * * * * *

Errors and Inconsistencies: The Foundling

Spellings were changed only when there was an unambiguous error, or the word occurred elsewhere with the expected spelling. Variation between "Flo." and "Flor." is as in the original. Names in stage directions were inconsistently italicized; they have been silently regularized. Missing or invisible periods have been silently supplied.

_Unchanged:_ anti-room [both occurrences use this spelling] did'nt [both occurrences are in this form] I could as soon compose an almanac as and a clue [error for "find a clue"?] For falsehood ne'er cross'd between me and my dear. [inconsistent indendation in original] I led the unfortune to my dwelling [error for "unfortunate"?]

_Corrections:_ to be disconcerted by a hail-stone [to de disconcerted] _Bert._ (_pursuing her with his eye deliriously_) [Bart.] _Mon._ She has not quitted it this morning [Lon.] and solemnly pronounce a vow [solemny]