Mau. Oh you pretty soul, let's try if we can break this cursed chain.

(they file it.

Ber. Now 'tis broke and you are so far free. Mau. The first use I make of my freedom is this. (kisses her)

Enter HUBERT, &c.

Ber. (seeing them) Oh dear gracious what shall I do? Hub. Out, you young baggage, I've tracked you—not a word here, Claude, bind them together, and bring them to our captain. (they bind them.)

[Exeunt.

SCENE VII. The Baron Steinhausen's Castle.

Enter THEODORE, COUNT, THERESA, and
AMBROSE.

The. We have exerted all our influence over the lady Angelina, but she still persists in her determination of taking the veil.

Am. She dares not reveal the secret, and, in my opinion, 'tis pity to urge her more.

Count. Ah, Lord Theodore, this has blasted my happiness for ever.

Theo. And what remains for me?

Sings.

Can I teach my fond heart to forget?

Angelina, the maid I adore,

Has given her hand to another,

And now I must love her no more.

Reflection embitters the past,

My sighs are, alas! all in vain

Angelina is torn from my arms,
And I never must see her again.

1

Enter ANGELINA.

Count. Here comes Angelina-oh, my child, thou know'st what I would say.

Ange. Do not, my Lord, thus wrong yourself and me; shall I live to disgrace the noble House of Lichtenstein ? no, my father, in the peaceful retreat of St. Florentia I will pray for your prosperity-I am innocent, indeed, but I am sworn to secrecy.

Count. Oh, Angelina, I cannot doubt you; but, to lose you, cannot bear it.

Ange. I cannot support this, Theodore; I have never been faithless to you, I was cheated into the idea that on my compliance your life depended.

Count. Ah, this scheme was deeply laid: come, Angelina; come, my Lord.

[Exeunt.

SCENE VIII. The Forest.

Enter ISABEL, HUBERT, and LASCAR.

Hub. Why this is absolute frenzy, perfect madness in our chief.

Isa. Ethelwolfe has a thousand amiable qualities that his rashness obscures.

Las. Oh, he's a brave fellow, and I'll stand by him to the last drop of my blood.

Hub. And so will I-'twas a devilish job that of the Count and Theodore escaping; 'twas all owing to that

cursed jilt, Jacquelina, and she's escaped too, perdition

catch her.

Isa. But will Ethelwolfe really, think you, attack the convent of Florentia?

Hub. Will he! aye, youngster, as sure as it now stands, he knows that the woman is there, and though a legion of devils were her guard he'd tear her from them.

Las. Let's seek him, we shall be wanted.

A March of Bandits, &c.

[Exeunt.

SCENE IX. The Convent. Preparations for Angelina's taking the Veil.

Enter COUNT, THEODORE, ANGELINA, THERESA, JACQUELINA, ANSELMO, &c. The Abbess and her Nuns. Chorus of Nuns.

Come thou that loath'st the world's deceit,

Come, and share our calm retreat;

Come, thou by sad misfortune cross'd,

To ev'ry hope of pleasure lost!

Come, and share our peaceful cells,

Where meek-eyed Religion dwells.

Count. And is this our last sad meeting, my child? Ange. We shall meet again in heaven, I trust, mỹ father.

The. Alas! alas! (sobbing.)

Theo. Angelina, one last adieu! remember me in your prayers.

Enter a Monk.

Monk. The convent is beset by banditti; our means of defence are weak, and it must fall.

Abb. By banditti! holy St. Florentia aid us.

(Angelina faints, the Nuns retire confusedly.) Count. Support my child, she dies.

Theo. (kneeling) Angelina, look upon me once more, and I go to fall by their swords.

Enter a Monk.

Monk. They've forced the gate and we are all lost. Ange. (recovering) Where's the barbarian? let him not enter here, and I'll quit it for ever.

An Alarm. ETHELWOLFE is brought in wounded. Ethel. (faintly) Where is Angelina? take me to my bride.

Count. What do I hear? then the mystery is explained. Ange. What do I see?

Ethel. The once haughty Ethelwolfe, now no longer rash and impetuous; his life's blood ebbing fast away— thou wilt soon be free, Angelina-oh, oh! where's Lord Theodore? (he advances) listen to me, Angelina is my bride, but her heart is your's-I loved her tenderly, and mark me, when thou art her husband, do not chide her with the remembrance of Ethelwolfe; know he was nobly born, the son of Manfred Lichtenstein.

Ans. My son, my deserted son, let me kneel and beg thy forgiveness.

Count. This is inexplicable; but Ethelwolfe speaks. Ethel. My father! heaven saved me from the guilt of parricide, come and embrace me.

Isa. Manfred, hast thou forgotten Isabel? she kneels before thee, she was never faithless, never deceived thee.

Sings.

By ill-starr'd love a wanderer sent,

By chance I hither rov'd,

When fate assign'd the pleasing task
To serve the man I lov'd.

Ethel. Ah, Isabel, why didst thou keep the secret so long? alas, 'tis too late now.

Isa. I heard you daily execrate my name, I did not hope; oh Manfred, thou art dying.

Ethel. I feel it, I feel it, Isabel, support my head-what will become of thee, poor girl?

Isa. Some charitable order will receive me, and I'll become a nun.

Ethel. Thou shalt, my Isabel; where is the Abbess of Florentia ?

Count. (to the Abbess.) I conjure thee hear and grant his request.

Abb. (advancing) Speak, poor penitent, what is thy wish?

Ethel. Wilt thou receive this poor girl into thy sisterhood, whose only fault was love?

Abb. 1 will, and swear by our patron saint to treat her with kindness.

Ethel. Enough; heaven bless thee, my Isabel! my faithful bandits, where is the Count Lichtenstein? oh, I am faint, I cannot utter it.

Count. I comprehend your meaning; such of your followers as deserve it shall not want my protection; we have wars, and they may find employment. [he bows.

Ethel. I die content; Hubert, Lascar, I would say much; Angelina, adieu-farewell, my Isabel, a long farewell-pray for my repose, Isabel; my father, no moresoft, Isabel-I die.

[dies.

Count. How sad a spectacle! convey the body hence, let it be buried in consecrated ground, for he was a descendant of the House of Lichtenstein. My lady Abbess, I will repair the injuries done to your convent, and I trust you will receive Isabel into your society.

They carry out the body of Ethelwolfe followed by Isabel, Anselmo, &c.