King. He did.
Fred. It breaks my heart to betray the honoured father of the girl I adore, but, as your apprentice, I have no alternative. It is my duty to tell you that General Stanley is no orphan.
King and Ruth. What!
Fred. More than that, he never was one!
King. Am I to understand that, to save his contemptible life, he dared to practise on our credulous simplicity? (Frederic nods as he weeps.) Our revenge shall be swift and terrible. We will go and collect our band and attack Tremorden Castle this very night.
Fred. But——
King. Not a word. He is doomed. (Goes up and down stage.)
Trio.
| King and Ruth. | Frederic. |
| Away, away, my heart’s on fire, | Away, away, ere I expire— |
| I burn this base deception to repay, | I find my duty hard to do to-day! |
| This very day my vengeance dire | My heart is filled with anguish dire, |
| Shall glut itself in gore. Away, away! | It strikes me to the core. Away, away! |
King.With falsehood foul