WIFE.
Oh, poor woman!
COTTAGER.
Let us take her into the next room.
WIFE.
Oh poor woman!—I am afraid she will not live. Come, chear up, chear up.—You are with those who feel for you. [They lead her off.]
SCENE II.
An apartment in the Castle.
A table spread for breakfast—Several servants in livery disposing the equipage—BARON WILDENHAIM enters, attended by a GENTLEMAN in waiting.
BARON.
Has not Count Cassel left his chamber yet?
GENTLEMAN.
No, my lord, he has but now rung for his valet.
BARON.
The whole castle smells of his perfumery. Go, call my daughter hither. [Exit Gentleman.] And am I after all to have an ape for a son-in-law? No, I shall not be in a hurry—I love my daughter too well. We must be better acquainted before I give her to him. I shall not sacrifice my Amelia to the will of others, as I myself was sacrificed. The poor girl might, in thoughtlessness, say yes, and afterwards be miserable. What a pity she is not a boy! The name of Wildenhaim will die with me. My fine estates, my good peasants, all will fall into the hands of strangers. Oh! why was not my Amelia a boy?
Enter AMELIA—[She kisses the Baron’s hand.]