They seat themselves—a ballet immediately commences—boys, habited as warriors, pay homage before Florian, and hang military trophies round his seat. Girls enter, as wood-nymphs, &c. who surprise and disarm the warriors, then remove the trophies, and replace them with garlands. The warriors and nymphs join in a general dance—Suddenly a piercing shriek is heard: the action of the scene abruptly stops, and Eugenia, entering from the top of the stage, rushes distractedly between the groups of dancers, and casts herself at the feet of Geraldine.
Eug. Save me! save me!
Ger. Ah! what wretched supplicant is this?
Flor. By heavens! the very woman who yesternight preserved my life.
Longueville enters in pursuit.
Long. (Advancing rapidly, with instant self-command) Dear friends! Heaven has this hour appointed me the agent of its grace. I have discovered in this wretched woman, the long-lost wife of an ancient friend, at Baden; lend your assistance to secure her person ’till I can apprise the husband of this unexpected meeting.
Eug. No, no, I have no husband—they have murdered him; he would betray—destroy me. (catching Geraldine’s robe) Oh! you, whose looks are heavenly-soft, to you I plead: protect me from this fiend.
Ger. How earnestly she grasps my hand, indeed—indeed her agony seems genuine.
Long. You are deceived, she utters nought but madness, her mind has been for years incurably diseased; come, away! away!
He seizes violently upon Eugenia to force her with him, she clings to Geraldine in anguish.