SCENE X.
Frederica, Gernau.
Fred. I shall stay then, dear Friend. What do you think of me? (Takes off her cloak and hat.)
Gern. I think I find you quite in the modern stile.
Fred. All sent by my brother.
Gern. Very gallant! and then the furniture, all is strange to me.
Fred. All from my brother.
Gern. What is meant? Perhaps in honour of my departure?
Fred. Departure!--
Gern. I am going to be removed from this place.
Fred. Where to?
Gern. To Freethal.
Fred. Gernau!
Gern. Yes, yes! your brother, I see, has great views concerning this house. O Frederica, I came in such a melancholy mood!--Your gaudy dress, and all this superb furniture, cast such a gloom over my mind.
Fred. You removed? And, when he robs my heart of all that is dear to it, he sends me satin and tinsel, and hopes by that to bribe me. What a mean opinion he must entertain of me! and how I dislike him!
Gern. Frederica, what is to become of me! When we shall be at so great a distance from each other; when, in obedience to my official duties, I must fly over hill and valley, your picture in my mind, and my heart beating only for you, the image of the poor huntsman will soon be effaced by the splendid objects with which you are going to be dazzled.
Fred. No! and away with the first temptation they have prepared for me; help me to pack up these things; they shall be returned this minute. (Takes the satin, Gernau helps her to fold it up, and they carry it to the box; she kneels down to put the gown in, whilst he holds the other end; he stoops and looks in the box, and then says,)
Gern. What is that?
Fred. (holding up the gown?) What?
Gern. A pocket-book!
Fred. Put it down. All shall go. I will keep nothing.
Gern. What paper is that, that sticks out there?
Fred. Take it.
Gern. (Pulls out a note.) That is not your brother's hand.
Fred. I have not yet seen that pocket-book.
Gern. Oh, very likely! (Reads.) "These dresses are destined to envelope the angel I adore; accept them as a small token of my sincere affections. Selling."--Take, for my last adieu, contempt, thou faithless perfidious girl! (Throws the pocket-book at her feet, and flies off.)
Fred. Gernau!