Charity. Poor child, your prayers are vain: that man is pitiless!
Thornton. I told you you had been deceived. Was I not right? You tracked him here, and yet you cannot find him. See how your well-laid plan has failed!
Charity. No; for I have one resource left, one taught me by the noble women of the West. You fear for my good name: do you fear for those who come to my aid with the song he loved? Pray heaven it reach the prisoner's ear! (Raises her hand. Chorus outside:—
"In the sweet by and by,
We will meet on that beautiful shore," &c.
Enter, singing, from r. and l. down steps, filling the steps, a chorus of women, well dressed, in light costumes; they stop upon the steps.)
Harry (above when the song ceases.) Help, help! save, oh, save me!
Jessie. His voice, Harry's voice! (Kneels to Thornton.) Man, now, if you have a spark of pity, lead me to him!
Charity. Robert Thornton, be merciful!
Thornton. You plead in vain: he is beyond your reach.