the assassins of your father, and of your own hopes: I shall find means to confront you all. [Going, L. Enter MADAME FRANVAL, THEODORE, and MARIANNE. St. A. Confront this witness too. [Points to Theodore.. Dar. [Turns round and sees Theodore.] Horror! Madness! Hide ine from his sight! St. A. Turn to him: take him to you: his looks speak blessings and forgiveness. Dar. [Nearly falling, St. Alme supports him.] To be disgraced-never! This is the very crisis of my fate, and I will stand the event. I do look on him: Is this your instrument? I know him not; and you at once decide your choice---him, or me, you must renounce this instant. St. A. Put me not to so severe a trial. Dar. Enough---"Tis past---Farewell, for ever. [Going! St. A. [Fulls on his knees, and catches Darlemont.] In the name of all that's sacred, my father! You heed me not! You fly me!--Look on me, father!---For all our sakes--relent, relent! Dar. Never, never.! St. A. O! sir! sir! I must be heard. [Exit Darlemont, L. in the greatest agony, dragging St. Alme after him on his knees.--- Theodore all this while in the greatest agitation following towards L.] De l'E. Obdurate man! Be still, be still, poor boy, you shall have justice yet. Mad. F. Now, son, can you any longer hesitate ? Fra. No; I should become criminal myself, if I delayed the execution of the trust reposed in me; this dreadful memorial must instantly be preferred. [Takes the accusation from his pocket. Mar. Then, we are lost for ever! Fra. The facts. this paper contains, will, I doubt not, excite the immediate attention and zeal of the magistrates. We must be gone. If St. Alme returns in our absence, calmy and console him, I beseech you. You, Marianne, particularly you, my sister, tell him what I undergo. But, come; a single moment of delay may[A noise within. Mar. Hark! Hark! what noise! De PE. It is St. Alme. Good heaven! In what agitation in what alarm ! Enter ST. ALME, L. St. A. O, sir! my friend! [Falls on Franval. St. A. My father- St. A. My father De l'E. Go on. St. A. Distracted by Julio's wrongs, Iran, I burst into the chamber with my father: Dupré followed, and at once owned he had revealed all to you; and was resolved (unless he did the young count justice by a public confession) to make him the partner of his punishment. My father shuddered: maddening and agonized I drew my sword, and vowed, if he persisted to refuse his acknowledgement of Julio, that moment to expire on it's point before his eyes! The dread of indelible disgrace-the cry of my despair-the horror of my death, prevailed-nature triumphed-my father relented -aud with a trembling hand-there, there [Gives De l'Epée a paper. De l'E. [Reads.] "I do acknowledge Theodore, the pupil of De l'Epée, to be Julio, the lawful Count of Harancour; and am prepared immediately to reinstate him in all his rights. Darlemont."-To thee, all-gracious Heaven, be endless praise and thanks! [Gives the paper to Theodore. Fra. [Tearing the Accusation to pieces.] From what a load is my heart relieved. [Julio, having read the paper, throws himself at De l'Epée's feet and kisses them; rises transported, and embraces Franval; then running towards St Alme, pauses, as if struck by some sudden thought; looks steadfastly at him, and runs to the table, where he writes something under Darlemont's declaration.] Fra. What would he do? What is his design ? De l'E. I know not. Mad. F. He seems extremely moved. Mar. How the tears stream from his eyes. [Julio returns to St. Alme, on his R. takes one of his hands and places it on his heart; then gives what he has been writing into his other hand, and makes signs to him to read it.] St. A. [Reads.] "Half of my fortune must be yours, St. Alme-if you refuse me, I here vow again to disappear, and never more be heard of. From our cradles we were accustomed to shure every good, like brothers, and I can never be happy at the expense of my friend."-Still the same, noble Julio! [Embraces Julio. De l'E. This single act overpays all I have done for him. [Crosses to Julio. Mad. F. The very spirit of the old count. He's his father's own son. St. A. O, that I could efface the memory of thy wrongs! How shall I ever bear the weight of that recollection! De E. [Looking at Marianne.] If this young lady would but kindly condescend to take a title to assist you, you might, perhaps,― Mad. F. Nay, nay; reflect, sir, that such an union wouldDe l'E. Bless, for ever bless, two virtuous hearts, that Heaven formed for each other, and make the happiness of this fortunate day complete. Mad. F. (R. C.) I protest I can't really I don't know— Fra. (R.) I am sure, madam Mad. F. Upon my word, son, you seem to persuade me to any thing. [To St. Alme.] You need not speak, sir.- [To Marianne.] No, nor you, Marianne. The matter has been settled among you, I see, and now, you pretend to ask my approbation : though, after that letter, I assure you, if you had not found a friend to whose intercession nothing can be refused, I should not have been prevailed with to give you my consent. [Julio, after a sign from De l'Epée, of their desire to be married, kisses Marianne, leads her to L. C. and gives her hand to St. Alme, who receives it kneeling, C. holding their hands in his, L. St. A. O, joy unutterable! Mar. How are we all beholden to your goodness! De l'E. 'Tis to the prudence of your brother, and to the fortitude of St. Alme, we owe our final triumph. Consoled by love, by friendship, and a father's return to virtue, all cause of regret may well be forgotten, sir; and let us hope, that the example of this protected orphan may terrify the unjust man from the abuse of trust, and confirm the benevolent in the discharge of all the gentle duties of humanity. THE END. DISPOSITION OF THE CHARACTERS AT THE FALL OF THE CURTAIN. [FRAN. MAD. F. DE L'E. THEO. MAR. ST. ALME] R.] L. |