MAD. S. [to LowE]. Give it to me, pray. [Lowy takes the prescription from ANNA's hand, and gives it to MADAME STURMER, who reads it.

MAD. S. Decipi-is not that a sort of root?

LowE. Excuse me, it is not proper that patients should understand their doctor's prescriptions.

MAD. S. There is no musk in it?

Lowe. Not a particle, on my honor. [He gives the prescription to the servant.] To the apothecary in the marketplace. [CHRISTIAN goes out.]

LOWE [to MADAME STURMER]. And now, madam, to prepare for the operation of my medicine, lie down on your bed, and try to get a little of that nervous sleep you talked of. MAD. S. Come, Anna.

Lowe [approaching ANNA with great animation]. So you are smiling still? young lady, as I am a true man, you understand Latin! is it not so?

ANNA [in a whisper]. Only for domestic use ! MAD. S. Come. Anna-do n't you hear? LowE. You understand Latin-you will get on in the world! [MADAME STURMER and ANNA go out.] Lowe [after a pause]. I can hardly recover my astonishment; there is not such another creature in the world, as patient as she is intelligent-as learned as she is modest-and, with all these attractions, condemned to wait on this fool of a woman. I cannot believe that she is what I supposed her this morning; she must be a sort of companion-but what treatment for such a being! when I think of it, I could get into such a rage with that Madame Stürmer as I never felt against any one in my life before. She is my aversion, that woman-I cannot endure her. I know not what has come over me for the last hour or two; but 't is clear that if the young Englishwoman whom Julius wishes to marry should resemble this girl-this Anna-I should not have the heart to condemn him. Perhaps, after all, it may be possible that a man may love twice in his life-every body says so, why should I alone be incredulous?

Enter RIEDLER.

RIED. Do I see right-you here, Doctor?
LowE. Well, sir?

RIED. Do you know where I come from? even from your own lodging, where I went by command of Madame Von Stürmer to look for you. I must have passed you without seeing you, for otherwise I cannot conceive

LowE. Well, well, it's all right, Baron Riedler, and I am not sorry to have met you; you are a friend of my nephew, and must know something of his position. He is in love with a rich English girl, it seems-a Miss Temple-do you know the lady?

RIED. [Aside]. Miss Temple-a master-stroke of Julius! [Aloud. Know her?-O yes.

LowE. And what do you think of her?

RIED. I that she's handsome, clever, amiable-but a little formal and tiresome, that's all-not quite to my own

taste.

LowE [aside]. That gives me rather a good opinion of her. RIED. [aside]. So I have caught him at the outset. LowE [aloud]. She is apparently not in the great world? RIED. She might be so if she liked, but she does not. LowE. That pleases me. And you think that my nephew is in love-what in my young days was called in love-really? RIED. He loves her to distraction!

LowE. Don't you think her rank and riches have had some share in kindling this said love?

RIED. Never suppose such a thing.

Lowe [aside]. My poor Julius!—and yet [with vexation] who told him to go fluttering round pretty women?-he who had already made his choice; in his position I don't see the necessity; if he had been a physician indeed-a physician has no choice in these matters-[the sounds of a harp are heard from the apartment of Madame SturmER]. What's that? RIED. It must be Miss Anna playing on the harp. LowE. Anna? so!

RIED. She plays charmingly-but her talent is converted into a curse; for whenever the old lady wishes to sleep, Miss Anna must play for her till she closes her eyes.

LowE. At night too?

mer.

RIED. At night; and sometimes from night till morning.
LowE. That 's an abominable woman, that Madame Stür-
Why does the young lady remain in her service?
RIED. Why, my dear sir, she is not in her service!
LowE. No! why, what is she, then?
RIED. Her step-daughter.

LowE. Good heavens! and I took her at first for the wait. ing-maid!

RIED. Ay, it happens to others--she is wretchedly poor! LowE. Her poverty is no reason why she should allow her self to be so treated, for she possesses that which outweighs all gifts of fortune-talents and acquirements which will carry her through the world-stay, do n't speak-let me listen: charming, delicious, on mine honor!

REID. [aside]. I begin to think he is really half in lovethat were admirable!

LowE. How sweet! what expression! and such a one can dress wounds-and read Latin-[the sounds grow fainter and fainter, and at last cease]-so, now it is over! RIED. The old lady is asleep, I presume. LowE. Pleasant dreams to her!

Enter ANNA.

ANNA. You here still, my dear Doctor? Baron Von Riedler too! what are your commands?

RIED. Mine? nothing in the world; having had the honor to introduce Doctor Lowe to you, I have nothing more to do here: he is a great man-a very great man. Now you have him, lady, hold him fast, I advise you-hold him fast!

[He goes out.

LowE. I ought to beg your pardon a thousand times, my good young lady, for the reception I gave you this morning; I have just learned that you are the daughter of the house, and I mistook you for-for

ANNA. For the femme de chambre, did you not? You owe me certainly no apology on that account: but to make my mother's weakness a matter of jest

LowE. Jest! my dear young lady, I was never given to jesting in my life :-but it is plain, notwithstanding your med ical skill, that you are not a regular physician yet, or you would know that such harmless tricks are among the privi leges of our art. What are we to do when patients insist on taking physic, and yet are better without it? Must we poi son them?

ANNA [smiling]. My mother is-I must confess

Lowe. In better health than either you or I, and plays the invalid only to torment people. Believe me, my dear young lady, that in what I have done I was thinking chiefly of your advantage-for you appear to me to be suffering a martyrdom

here.

ANNA. My naturally gay spirits help me over much that is disagreeable-and, after all, are we not placed in the world

to bear with each other?

Lowe. But your burthen chances to be somewhat of the heaviest: this woman will be the death of you, if you do net take care.

ANNA. She was not always what you see her now. LowE. No? then she had better have remained as she was! ANNA. The lapse of years-much suffering-really, Doc tor, you seem to be prejudiced against her! LowE. She provokes me past endurance.f

ANNA. The first impression is not pleasant, I allow; she is a little capricious and inconsistent-but she is not really illnatured.

LowE. Not far from it.

ANNA. Pray have patience with her.

LowE. I will try for your sake I will try, but it will be

difficult.

ANNA. She was my father's beloved wife-was kind to me often when I was a child; I can never forget that.

Lowe [aside]. What a heavenly disposition! [Aloud.] Nor do I wish that you should be ungrateful-but you must not continue to live with her-this, as a physician, I must forbid: I know you have the means of existence, independent of her.

ANNA. I never will forsake her, that I have vowed, as long as I depend on myself.

LowE. But should you marry, for example?

ANNA. Then, of course, I must be directed by the wishes of my husband.

LOWE. Would you have any objection to marry?

ANNA. Doctor Lowe!

posed to you?

ANNA [aside]. Where will this lead to?

MAR. How so, your honor?

LowE. Ah! I remember me you know nothing about it.

ANNA [aside]. Julius must have told him all! Lowe. A man who would esteem himself most happy, if you would venture to confide your future fate to him.

ANNA [timidly]. You may speak openly, my dear Doctor; I think I know whom you mean.

LowE. Is it possible?-can it be?-and you would not be averse to accept his hand?

ANNA [looking down]. On the contrary

Lowe. Do not speak hastily; and before you resolve, let me represent one or two things to you. In the first place, you are noble, and he is the son of an honest, but plebeian trades

man.

ANNA. I know it already, and think it no obstacle. Lowe. And, in the second place, could you endure patiently the habits of an old bachelor?

ANNA. [aside]. I presume he wishes to reside with us. LOWE. An old bachelor has always some peculiarities, which, however harmless in themselves, are likely to be disagreeable to a lady.

ANNA. In a man whom she reveres, a woman willingly puts up with such trifles.

LowE. [joyfully]. Indeed!-even a few twittering birds, even a cross old valet?

ANNA. [smiling]. I think I could learn to love the birds, and even the old valet, for his sake.

LowE. You are an angel! Well, then-what was I going to say?

Enter MARTIN, in haste.

MAR. Sir! Doctor!

LowE. Now what the devil brought you here? MAR. Now only guess whom I have just spoken to! LowE. I won't-I've something else in hand! Go home, go home!-d'ye hear?

MAR. What's the matter now, sir? I thought you would have been glad to hear

LOWE. Then you thought wrong.

MAR. That your friend Kriegsrath Lindner is in town.h
LowE. Lindner here?

MAR. And Miss Caroline with him.

Lowe. Where are they lodged?

MAR. At the Crown Inn: the Kriegsrath is most impatient to see your honor.

Lowe. [aside]. I must go, it seems, and look after both father and daughter. Julius is right after all; and Caroline has forgotten him, as he has her. Heaven grant it be so! that I may make the boy happy without wounding my conscience.

ANNA. I will not detain you, Doctor, if you have business. Lowe. I have truly, and I think it will be better to get it off my hands before we resume our conversation.

ANNA. Will you not visit my mother again to-day? LOWE. Yes; but I hope it will please her to be asleep. ANNA. Au revoir, then! [She courtesies, and goes out.] LowE [looks after her for a moment, then walks up and down, and, stopping suddenly, speaks in a resolute tone]. Yes, I'll marry her! [Goes out, MARTIN following.] The curtain falls.

END OF THE THIRD ACT.

ACT IV.

SCENE.... The Doctor's Apartment. MAR. [alone]. I wish I could find out now what in the name of wonder has possessed my master: he is quite transmogrified, as it were quite rebellious! First he abuses me when I tell him of the colonel's arrival; then he sets off to

LowE. I'll have it swept every day; people are coming in from time to time, and it's scandalous to see the dust flying in their faces. [Looking round again]: what a household! the book-cases empty, the books lying about on tables and chairs

MAR. [sulkily]. I'm not to meddle with them.

LowE. No, not you, certainly; I'll put them in their places myself.

MAR. [aside, shaking his head]. He's agoing to die !i LowE. Martin!

MAR. Sir!

LowE. This Madame Von Sturmer, whom I have just taken under my care, will give me a good deal of trouble. MAR. That's the lady that sent the pretty maid here this morning?

LowE. The maid happens to be a young lady, and her daughter.

MAR. A lady! and I treated her just as my equal! but it's not my fault, however. If she's a lady, why doesn't she dress like one-more reasonable like?

LowE. The dress makes the woman and the man too-eh, Martin? Ay, it's inconceivable what effect dress has, even on the most rational people. I think I might dress better my

self.

MAR. [frightened]. Pray, sir-I hope you won't begin to think of such a thing!

LowE. And why not?

MAR. At your years!

LowE. Why, I am not such an old man, Martin.

MAR. But we are no longer young, your honor.

LowE. How?-we!-you talk as if we were nearly of the same age.

MAR. Why, when I first attended on you at the University, we were both hearty young fellows.

LowE. Ay, but I was eighteen, and you forty.
MAR. Only nine-and-thirty, your honor.

LowE. And I shall be eight-and-thirty in September.
MAR. As your honor pleases.

LowE. Martin, I shall go to that tailor who keeps all kinds of fashionable clothes ready made, and I'll choose myself a

JUL. My dear uncle

Enter JULIUS.

LowE. What brings you here?

JUL. Have you a few minutes to spare me? LowE. Now ?-not the fraction of a minute. JUL. It concerns the happiness of my life. LowE. O so!-[smiling playfully]-I know now what you mean; but put it out of your head, Julius-it won't do, Julius; but in the mean time, I'm glad you are come, Julius, that I may inform you of my intended marriage-[speaking rapidly and resolutely, as if to hide his confusion]—I'm going to marry the daughter of Madame Von Stürmer: the contract will be signed to-morrow-the wedding will be this day week-I invite you to both-good morning! [He hurries out.]

JUL. [looking after him with amazement]. What is all

this?

MAR. [crying]. He's going to be married!
JUL. To the daughter of Madame Sturmer?
MAR. How should I know?

JUL. But how came such an idea into his head?

MAR. That's just what I say. Hasn't he been for eighteen years living for Mamsell Marie that's dead? and now, all at once-O Lord!-some evil spirit has got hold on him.

[He goes out. JUL. Kriegsrath Lindner and his daughter here!-my uncle in love with Anna!-how shall I disentangle such a perplexed knot?

Enter BARON REIDLER.

REID. Have I found you at last? I have been running over half the town after you. Do you know that Lindner and his daughter are here?

JUL. I know it, and came to make one more attack on my uncle's heart before he had seen his friend, but I must have come too late; for with more severity and decision than ever, he desired me to give up all hopes.

RIED. Would it not be possible to get Caroline on your side? she is just one of those sentimental young ladies who delight in making victims of themselves.

JUL. I will see Caroline no more-her first glance will go through me like a poignard! I cannot recover the painful impression which I felt when I heard she was so near me. She loved me once, as I loved her, truly, and my conduct has not been what it ought toward her.

RIED. Is your uncle at home?

JUL. No, he has gone out, heaven only knows where; his head is turned, it seems; for I must tell you that your plan has succeeded only too well-he has actually fallen in love with Anna and wants to marry her.

RIED. Marry her! ha, ha, ha! that's worth any money! has he proposed yet?

JUL. I know not, but I know he considers the affair so certain, that he has invited me to the signing of the contract

to-morrow.

RIED. Stay-one moment; I have an idea-sublime-even if it be not particularly new. To-morrow, does he say, he will have the contract signed ?

JUL. Have I not told you so already?

RIED. Well, then, to-morrow he shall sign your marriage Oontract with Anna. Did your uncle ever read Molière? JUL. Hardly, I should think.

RIED. Then we will play him a scene out of Molière: but first it will be necessary for me to obtain, through you, the name of the notary he intends to employ.

JUL. That will not cost me much trouble. RIED. Very good; as soon as I know it I will go to the man, and either through cunning or bribery, according as I find him, I will get him to prepare your contract, and place it before your uncle for his signature, instead of his own. JUL. The plan is scarce practicable. RIED. Leave that to me.

JUL. No, no, it were a vile trick

RIED. To one who, like you, sees the knife at his very throat, any thing is allowable; besides, we shall probably do your uncle himself a service. He has refused his consent to your marriage not from harshness, but a sort of exaggerated conscientiousness; and I think it will not be disagreeable to him when he finds he has done, in perfect innocence and without knowing it, what he would have wished to do had it not been against his principle.

JUL. Ay, he will be enchanted, doubtless, particularly as he loves Anna himself!

RIED. Why, as a sort of Cinderella, he might have been sure of her; but that the rich heiress of Lord Temple was never meant for him, I suppose he will readily allow himself. JUL. Riedler, give up the idea of it: if I were weak enough to consent to your scheme, Anna never would; she would spoil all.

RIED. Anna must be taken by surprise: she must know nothing of it till in the last moment, when she will have no alternative but to win or lose her lover for ever; and, meantime. it must be your care to prevent the Doctor and Anna from coming to any explanation.

JUL. Riedler, you are leading me into a crooked pathRIED. In which lies a pretty girl, with a million for her dowry. [They go out.]

SCENE.-The Apartment of MADAME STURMER. HENR. [alone]. This Doctor is worth his weight in gold; since he has been in the house I don't hardly know my lady; she is absolutely grown tame and gentle.

Enter MADAME STURMER [with a letter in her hand]. MAD. S. [in a soft voice]. Here, Henriette, my dear, can you tell me where my daughter Anna is ?

HENR. I believe she is in her room, madam.

MAD. S. Tell her I beg she will have the goodness to come here for one moment.

HENR. Immediately, my lady. [Aside.] I do think the Doctor has poisoned her, and that she's going to die. [Exit.] MAD. S. 'Tis incredible how well the Doctor's pills agree with me; I feel myself quite a changed being since I have taken them; but how I am obliged to watch myself, and how careful I am to guard against all agitation! the moment I feel the most distant approach to it I leave the room at once. I ought to have the Doctor always at my side; but I fear, if Anna rejects his hand, he will never enter my doors again, must try to persuade her-I will employ all the gentlest means to move her. What is most strange, the Doctor himself does not seem to have a doubt of her consent. If she should-but no, that is impossible, for she had decided in favor of Baron Julius. I am in a most embarrassing position, but I will not lose courage, for hitherto I have always contrived to make people do exactly what I liked.

Enter ANNA.

ANNA. You sent for me, dear madam-what are your commands ! MAD. S. Not commands, my dear child; my request rather. I have to talk to you of matters of importance; only conceive that Doctor Lowe has written me a letter!

ANNA. Indeed!

MAD. S. And do you know what it is about?
ANNA. I think I do.

MAD. S. You think you do? then, my dear angel, you have already agreed to his wishes?

ANNA. I presume that cannot be unknown to you. MAD. S. Not unknown! excuse me, but till this moment I never dreamed of such a thing; you have kept your intentions a secret from me. Perhaps you feared that the change would be painful to me? but be easy, my child, your happiness is the sole object of my life.

ANNA. I do not quite understand-of what change do you speak?

MAD. S. Cease this affectation, Anna! Doctor Lowe has formally asked your hand.

ANNA. Certainly-for

MAD. S. For whom but for himself?

ANNA [in the utmost amazement]. For himself? Impossible! you mistake!

MAD. S. Why impossible? here is his letter-you can read it.

ANNA [takes the letter hastily, and glances over it]. Un

fortunate mistake! I am undone!

MAD. S. Why do you frighten yourself so? I have no ob jection in the world.

ANNA [in great agitation]. I must have an explanation with him immediately-within this hour!

MAD. S. He wishes the contract to be signed to-morrow, and offers to settle on you all he has in the world.

ANNA. O me! it breaks my heart! I was not prepared for this!

MAD. S. What is it that vexes you?

ANNA. The thought that I must reject such a man.

MAD. S. Reject-how can you think of such a thing as rejecting him?

ANNA. Have I not, and with your own consent, given my word to Baron Julius?

MAD. S. O we will get rid of Baron Julius in some civil

way.

ANNA. Not for the world!

MAD. S. But if you like the Doctor, and you must like him, else you would never have allowed him to hope—

ANNA. It never occurred to me to give him hope; he misunderstood me as completely as I mistook him.

MAD. S. Then I am lost! I am a dead woman!
ANNA. Why so, dear mother?

MAD. S. Doctor Lowe will certainly forsake me, if you give him up.

ANNA. I should be sorry;-but no consideration of that kind can release me from the obligation of being true to the man to whom I am bound by promise.

MAD. S. [angrily]. Anna! [Commanding herself.] Remember, Anna, that the Doctor has forbidden me all agitation. ANNA [very calmly]. Then let us quit the subject for the present.

MAD. S. [gently]. What do you find so charming in the Baron? A young man with a pair of whiskers-a gallant just like all of them.

ANNA [in the same quiet tone]. To be sure-you are perfectly right.

MAD. S. And the Doctor, on the contrary, a man of mature age-a wise man-a learned man

ANSA [with animation]. Say one of the worthiest of

men!

MAD. S. Is he not? Anna! I do conjure you take the Doctor. [Clasping her hands.]

ANNA. I cannot promise such a thing.

hear him coming already. Anna, if ever you loved me, now grant me one request.

ANNA. What request?

JUL. Do not at once refuse my uncle's hand.
ANNA. Shall I deceive the good man?

JUL. O no! but you women have always ways and meansAnna! if you now formally reject my uncle's hand, you are lost to me forever.

ANNA. [in much agitation]. I do not understand

JUL. Compose yourself! I hear him on the stairs. Do not forget my urgent prayer; the happiness of life depends on your granting it-remember, Anna! [He hurries out].

ANNA. [after a pause]. And even if his life and mine too depended on it, I cannot grant it. Truth at least does he deserve from me that noble being who has honored me by his choice, and to whom I have nothing else to give-nothing but the truth in return for all his love!

Enter Lowe [fashionably yet simply dressed]. LowE. I think it was my nephew who just slipped past me-was he here with you?

ANNA. Yes, Herr Doctor. [Aside]. I lose all courage. LowE [smiling]. What, the rogue! courting the good graces of his future aunt that he may win over the uncle?But what is the matter, my dear young lady? you seem disturbed, and yet I presume that the letter I addressed to your mother could hardly have surprised you?

ANNA. On the contrary, it surprised me in the highest degree.

LowE. Because I wish to have the contract signed to-morrow! You see I have good reasons for that. Your lady mother-I mean no unkindness to her, but she is a singular person, and-I do not quite trust her; to-day I know I am in her good graces, and I believe she has received my proposals graciously-is it not so?-she is in good humour with us? ANNA. [speaking with effort]. She is.

LowE. Now don't you see that in a week or a fortnight she might quarrel with me, and play us some shabby trick? ANNA. You do not then feel a doubt about my consent? LowE. [thunderstruck; after a pause]. I know-I know I am not worthy of you; but, after what you said this morning-you remember when we spoke of a husbandANNA. O let us forget that unfortunate conversation! LowE. Unfortunate! why-why unfortunate? ANNA. Because it will be to me, perhaps also to you, a

Lowe [mournfully]. Sorrow!-no, not so; if you indeed repent of your kindness, I will retire at once, and without re pining. I have endured life for these twenty years with my books and my birds-I can live on so-still

JUL. That were to divide us for ever.

ASSA. You do not know your uncle; he has the noblest, the kindest of hearts; and, after all, has he the power to dissolve our engagement if your mother blesses it?

JUL. I can only hope for the blessing of my inother in case my uncle gives his consent.

ANNA. Do not doubt that he will

JUL. He has another match for me in view. Some years 120 he settled that I should marry the daughter of one of his friends; and believe me that any endeavor to move him will be utterly fruitless. There is only one means left to obtain his

ANNA. with deep emotion]. Lowe!

LowE. Pray pardon me the liberty I have taken; I never should have presumed to think of you, had I not beheld the manner in which you are treated in this house; and I thought you might be happier as the wife of a man of honor, who was devoted to you, than under the despotism of a capricious eccentric stepmother.

ANNA [aside, and turning from him]. He knows not how he grieves me!

LowE. You have no fortune

ANNA [turning to him in surprise]. No fortune? LowE. You must not be displeased with Baron Riedler for telling me

ANNA. Riedler told you so?

LowE. Poverty is no shame, dearest lady! and though I am not myself rich, I am well able to secure to you now and after my death, if not a large, at least a sufficient income.

ANNA. Generous man! I care as little for riches as you do-and such a character, such a heart would outweigh millions offered by another! I am prouder to be your choice than if a prince had asked my hand, and I should accept your offer at once, could I do it without wrong to another. LOWE. Whom could my marriage offend? ANNA [with effort]. Your nephew.

LowE. My nephew!-ah is that it? is he afraid of losing my fortune? Then let me tell you that he will not want itfor he is about to make a brilliant marriage with the rich English heiress, Miss Temple.

ANNA. Temple! [Aside.] Most extraordinary this! [Aloud.] But they say you are against this match?

Lowe. True, I was against it, for I did not consider my nephew as a free man.

ANNA. You had formed other plans for him?

LowE. What plans? I never formed a plan in my life

matrimonial plans least of all; but you see the young man had fallen in love with a charming and amiable girl, and had paid her all the attentions of an accepted lover ANNA. Is it possible?

Lowe. I was in some sort pledged for him in this affair had, at his earnest request, gained over Caroline's father, and I knew that the girl had refused several good offers for his sake, trusting in his vows of eternal love. Judge now your self what was my alarm, my regret, when I heard, all at once, that he had made proposals to another!

ANNA. If it be as you say, doubt not that he will return to his first love.

LowE. That were now unnecessary. Caroline is here since yesterday I have spoken to her-Julius is absolved from all ties, for it seems the lady has been, like himself, faithless, and is engaged to another.

ANNA. May I ask who this Caroline is?

LowE. The daughter of the Kriegsrath Lindner.

ANNA. And where does she live?

LowE. They are at the Crown Inn.

ANNA. Did she seem cheerful when you saw her? LowE. No; on the contrary, rather disturbed-probably some feeling of shane, in my presence

ANNA. And she did not tell you to whom she was engaged? LowE. No-nor did I ask; but, my dear young lady, let me beg of you not to tell my nephew all this: to-morrow, at our betrothing, I will surprise him with my consent to his marriage for to-morrow our contract will be celebrated-will it not?-say yes! [taking her hand].

ANNA. Lowe, in one hour you shall have my answer in writing-till then I entreat you, leave me to myself. LowE. Will you not allow me to see your mother? ANNA. I will make your excuses to my mother. LowE. You dismiss me, Anna, with a heavy heart. ANNA. My own is not light, believe me! LowE. Then I have the honor to take my leave. [He bows, and goes to the door.]

ANNA. Doctor Lowe!

LowE [returning quickly]. Dearest lady! ANNA [with deep feeling]. Whatever may be the issue of this, be assured that I never esteemed a man so muchnever shall esteem another-as I do you!

Lowe [almost in tears, which he restrains with difficulty]. I-I have the honor-to take my leave. [He goes out.] ANNA [alone-a pause-she walke up and down in the greatest agitation-then stops. At the Crown Inn! this daughter of Kriegsrath Lindner-I will see her-speak to her -try her heart: she will not reproach or repulse the stranger, when she learns what are the feelings which lead me to herand will perhaps confide to me what she conceals from her father. Snatches up a bonnet which lies on the sofa]. Heaven guard and guide me! this step decides my future fate. [She goes out.]

SCENE.

END OF THE FOURTH ACT.

ACT V.

The house of MADAME STURMER.
JULIUS, HENRIETTE.

HENR. What in the name of goodness is going on in the house? My Lord Baron, can you explain the riddle that has been puzzling me since yesterday? You are the intended bridegroom of our young lady-are you not?

what means we are to cut this gordion knot?-her feelingsher principles, her whole soul will revolt against Reidler's plan, and yet, as things are, it is the only means to attain our object. It may be, that when she is assured of this, love may work a miracle for me, and may effect what neither power nor persuasion could. She comes!-I tremble like a culprit before her. Enter ANNA.

ANNA. [Her manner is cold and reserved]. Julius! what brings you here?

JUL. I came to thank you for granting my request, and keeping up my good uncle's delusion, though the affair has certainly become more serious than I intended.

ANNA [coldly]. All that has happened might have been anticipated; you knew yesterday that your uncle had fixed to-day for the betrothing.

JUL. The notary will be here in a few moments.
ANNA. It is your own fault that things have gone so far.
JUL. Anna, the next hour decides our fate-

ANNA. I know it well.

JUL. It must unite or divide us for ever!
ANNA. Assuredly!

JUL. Have you courage?

ANNA. Courage ?-for what?

JUL. To-to overcome all prejudice, and set aside-for a moment only-those principles which-O if you love me, Anna, it will be easy!-and even your conscience will suffer but slightly: love cannot always choose the straight path. ANNA. Julius, speak more plainly!

JUL. My uncle was from the beginning opposed to my views: now that he is my rival, he will be so more than ever. Riedler [ANNA turns away with a gesture of contempt]— I swear to you that this is the very last time I will ever yield to his counsel-Riedler has gained over the notary, who is to draw out your marriage contract with my uncle.

ANNA. Well?

JUL. And has prevailed on him-instead-
ANNA. Instead?-

JUL. To prepare mine.

ANNA. Say all-all you have to say at once!
JUL. Anna, do not condemn me!

ANNA [impatiently]. To prepare yours?

JUL. And to place it before my uncle for his signature, as if it were his own. [ANNA stands silent. After a pause.] Anna, if you know any other means of success, speak now! ANNA. Has Riedler your consent to this plan?

JUL. [shrinking from her look]. He has; for I knew not how otherwise

ANNA [almost with scorn]. So be it then!

goodness?JUL. [joyful, yet half doubtful]. Then you will have the

ANNA. I will hear no more: do what you think justifiable, [She turns from him, folding her hands as one who had taken her resolution, and walks aside.]

Enter RIEDLER and LoWE.

RIED. Here he is! here he is!-the happy bridegroom! just at the door,the gates of the temple of Hymen I met him coming up. [Whispers JULIUS.] Have you explained

to her?

JUL. Well?

JUL. My uncle, do you say?

notions sometimes!

JUL. I have only to obey her wishes in all things. HENR. Go-go, my lord; you are only making game of me!" [She goes out.] JUL. She has then acceded to my request, and kept my uncle in error!-but what will she say when she knows by

this hand-[he kisses her hand.]

ANNA. Dr. Lowe, I have read over the draft of the contract you sent to me.

LowE. And are you satisfied? It is but little I can give you, dearest, but 'tis all I have in the world.

ANNA. And you do not ask what dower I have to bring you Lowe. Your dower is your heart-your mind—your vir tues!

ANNA [smiling]. That sounds very prettily; but I would fain not enter your house as a beggar. Even poverty has its pride; and since you have endowed me with all you will allow me to secure to you in return all I

it much or little.

your

wealth, be

possess,

Lowe. As you please; I will thankfully receive at your hands any thing-no matter what-if that it makes you easier. ANNA. It does so, and I thank you. I have another request to make to you.

Lowe. Speuk, and command me!