Bert. (listening with tremulous attention.) God! living!
Long. (not regarding Bertrand, who has drawn behind.) Whence came this woman? What was she?
Flo. Alas! the most pitiable object in nature—an unhappy maniac; she resides at the same cottage where I found shelter from the storm.
Bert. (as if electrified by a sudden thought.) Direct me, heaven!
He glides silently out of the gallery unobserved by all.
Long. Were not any other circumstances linked with this adventure?
Flo. None of consequence: but I suspect one of the ruffians was known to this wretched woman; her incoherent words implied that she recognized in him an ancient enemy; but her frail remains of intellect, were, for a time, quite unsettled by the terror of the scene; she fled from me to her chamber in dismay, and at daybreak I left the cottage without a second interview.
Long. Florian! it is necessary this woman should be interrogated further—(with much emotion) not a moment must be lost—dear count, excuse me for an hour, my anxiety admits not of delay. I will myself visit this cottage instantly. Exit.
Ger. (half aside to De Valmont) Uncle, if the baron tarries beyond the hour, we must not wait for his return, recollect it is to be at noon exactly.
Flo. (overhearing.) And what at noon, dear Geraldine?