Mrs. H. Madam, I'll follow. Allow me a moment to compose myself.—[Exit Countess.] I pause!—Oh! yes—to compose myself! [Ironically.] She little thinks it is but to gain one solitary moment to vent my soul's remorse. Once the purpose of my unsettled mind was self-destruction; Heaven knows how I have sued for hope and resignation. I did trust my prayers were heard—Oh! spare me further trial! I feel, I feel, my heart and brain can bear no more.
[Exit.
ACT THE FOURTH.
SCENE I.
The Skirts of the Park, Lodge, &c. as before.—A Table, spread with Fruits, &c.
Francis discovered placing the supper.
Fra. I know he loves to have his early supper in the fresh air; and, while he sups, not that I believe any thing can amuse him, yet I will try my little Savoyards' pretty voices. I have heard him speak as if he had loved music. [Music without.] Oh, here they are.
Enter Annette and Claudine, playing on their guitars.
Ann. To welcome mirth and harmless glee,
We rambling minstrels, blythe and free,
With song the laughing hours beguile,
And wear a never-fading smile:
Where'er we roam
We find a home,
And greeting, to reward our toil.