Part 125 (1/2)

WORM. ”With the vigilance of an Argus.” Have you written it?

LOUISA. Proceed, proceed!

WORM. ”The president was here yesterday. It was amusing to see how warm the poor major was in defence of my honor.”

LOUISA. Excellent! Excellent! Oh! Admirable! Quick! quick, go on!

WORM. ”I had recourse to a swoon--a swoon--that I might not laugh aloud”----

LOUISA. Oh, Heavens!

WORM. ”But the mask which I have worn so long is becoming insupportable --insupportable. Oh! if I could but rid myself of him.”

LOUISA (rises, and walks a few turns with her head bent down, as if she sought something upon the floor: then returns to her place, and continues to write). ”Rid myself of him.”

WORM. ”He will be on duty to-morrow--observe when he leaves me, and hasten to the usual place.” Have you written ”the usual place?”

LOUISA. Everything, everything!

WORM. ”To the usual place, to meet your devotedly attached Louisa.”

LOUISA. Now then, the address?

WORM. ”To Marshal von Kalb.”

LOUISA. Eternal Providence! A name as foreign to my ear as these scandalous lines are to my heart! (She rises, and for some moments surveys the writing with a vacant gaze. At length she hands it to WORM, speaking in a voice trembling and exhausted.) Take it, Sir! What I now put into your hands is my good name. It is Ferdinand--it is the whole joy of my life! You have it, and now I am a beggar----

WORM. Oh! Not so! Despair not, dear girl! You inspire me with the most heartfelt pity! Perhaps--who knows? I might even now overlook certain parts of your conduct--yes! Heaven is my witness, how deeply I compa.s.sionate your sorrows!

LOUISA (giving him a piercing look). Do not explain yourself! You are on the point of asking something more terrible than all.

WORM (attempting to kiss her hand). What if I asked this little hand?

Would that be terrible, Louisa?

LOUISA (with great indignation). Yes! for I should strangle you on the bridal night: and for such a deed I would joyfully yield my body to be torn on the rack! (She is going, but comes hurriedly back.) Is all settled between us, sir? May the dove be released?

WORM. A trifle yet remains, maiden! You must swear, by the holy sacrament, to acknowledge this letter for your free and voluntary act.

LOUISA. Oh G.o.d! Oh G.o.d! And wilt thou grant thine own seal to confirm the works of h.e.l.l? (WORM leads her away.)

ACT IV.

SCENE I. Saloon in the PRESIDENT'S House.

FERDINAND VON WALTER enters in great excitement with an open letter in his hand, and is met by a SERVANT.

FERDINAND. Is the marshal here?