Chapter 6

the centre a large brazen door, in the archway a practicable parapet, and occasional apertures in the broken fragments of the rock._

_Enter_ Everard, _hastily through the doorway._

_Ever._ This, this the far-fam'd court so long extolled for fair investigation? Poor Agnes Lindorf! unheard thou art condemned, prejudged, thy judges will decree thee guilty, and this, thy trial, is no more than the mere mockery of justice! But I've held converse with the young lord Ravensburg, and if he follow an old soldier's counsel, there may be still some hope, that the accused shall vanquish the accuser.

_Enter_ Zastrow _from the door, bearing Agnes, who is senseless, in his arms--he places her on a piece of broken rock near the wing._

Speak, Zastrow--is she condemn'd?

_Zast._ No. Charge following charge, her boasted firmness forsook her; and fainting, as supposed, from conscious guilt, she was dismissed; but soon her sentence will be known, and all foresee the vengeance that awaits the count Manfredi's daughter.

_Ever._ Manfredi's daughter!

_Zast._ Ay, that Italian traitor, who, on the Danube's banks destroyed the treasure he was bound to guard, and she (_turning towards Agnes_) imbibing the same kindred hate for those whom loyalty should make her love, late at the banquet of the baron Ravensburg, infus'd a poisonous mixture in the draught of our lov'd prince: but he detecting her intent, the death, thank heaven, she design'd for him, will soon recoil upon herself.

_Ever._ And he, the prince, is her accuser? Mark you that?

_Zast._ I do.

_Ever._ Then mark, (_pointing to Agnes_) is that the countenance of guilt?

_Zast._ How, Everard! when even Ravensburg, her benefactor's son, now loudly in the open court took part against her. (_Everard shows emotion._) He did; and thereby so increased the prince's admiration----Look! he's here! _Enter_ Ravensburg, _hastily, in the dress of a free knight, with a paper in his hand, followed by two free_ knights.

_Rav._ Where is the traitress? Where the daughter of Manfredi?

_Ag._ (_starting up._) That voice! still, still does it pursue me? My lord! (_looking at him with a hope that he'll befriend her_)

_Rav._ Stand off!

_Ag._ This! this from Ravensburg! (_bursts into tears_)

_Rav._ 'Tis past--it is pronounced! Read--read that awful warrant.

_Ag._ (_taking it, but not looking at it._) 'Tis past indeed! but e'er I meet my death, I swear by Him who shall for ever live, that I would rather be the culprit thus condemn'd, than those who have condemn'd me: for they, not I, must answer for a life unjustly sacrificed? and when deprived of utterance and of sense, think not 'twas consciousness of guilt o'ercame me! No, 'twas to hear myself accused by him, who, still persisting in his cruelty----why--wherefore should I live! since he, since he is lost: I am most thankful for this final--(_casting her eyes on the warrant._) Heavens! how! (_reading it apart._) "Perceiving you were prejudged, I opposed, to save you. The free knight who conducts you to the solitary cell, from which 'tis meant that you should ne'er return, knows of a secret passage. Confide in him, and your devoted Ravensburg."

_Rav._ (_fiercely._) Well! have you read?

_Ag._ (_with stiffled feeling._) I have, and I repeat, I am most thankful, Sir.

_Rav._ (_to Everard._) Conduct her to her cell--you know the rest--away, and quick return; for as his highness passes from the court, he must be told the traitress is secured.

_Ever._ He shall, my Lord.

_Rav._ Away! (_Agnes is about to thank Ravensburg, by kneeling to him, when by action he recalls her recollection._) Away! (_Everard and Agnes exeunt--Zastrow and other knights are following--Ravensburg stops them._) Let none follow; he is alone sufficient to secure a willing victim.

_Zast._ (_observing._) Ha!

_Enter_ prince _and train through the doorway._

_Prin._ (_looking earnestly around._) How! gone! 'tis well! for she recalls such dreadful scenes, that, coward-like, I sicken at her sight.--But whither gone? Who was her guard?

_Rav._ A loyal and a chosen knight; they know him well, and saw him lead her to her cell.

_Zast._ We did, my liege; but 'tis my duty to impart, as one of equal loyalty and honour----

_Rav._ (_hastily interrupting him._) Peace! he returns!

Everard _re-enters._

_Prin._ (_to Everard._) Now, to your office, Sir! Speak, is the traitress safe?

_Ever._ Quite, quite safe, my liege.

[_Looking at Ravensburg, who shows joy, aside._

_Zast._ (_aside to the prince._) My liege, you are deceiv'd. Mark'd you their dark mysterious looks?

_Prin._ How!--more conspiracy? Can none, not e'en free knights be trusted? And I, who would avoid the hated sight--must I, myself--Well 'tis but one desperate effort more. Come, follow.

[_Music._ Agnes _is seen escaping through the apertures: she makes signs to_ Ravensburg, _who, unseen by the prince and train, returns them._ Everard _partakes in their joy. The prince commands all to march._

[_Exeunt._