Handsomely furnished Room in Chateau Laroque—Doors R. and L., and U.—Candles lit.

De Bevannes, Mad. Laroque, Mad. Aubrey, Alain, Mlle Helouin discovered—Mad. Laroque is walking about in much agitation.

Mad. L. [To Alain.] You say she went out on horseback?

Alain. Yes, Madame.

Mad. L. Did she say at what hour she would be back.

Alain. No, Madame.

Bev. Did she not tell you she would be early in the ball-room this evening?

Mad. L. She did; and that only makes me the more apprehensive. This anxiety is torture.

Bev. Be assured, Madame, she is safe. You know she is often out late on fine evenings.

Mad. L. But never after dark. Can nobody even tell which way she went?

Mlle H. There is one person, I think, might give us some information.

Mad. L. Oh! who? Why did you not say so before?

Mlle H. I have no doubt M. Manuel could enlighten us, if he chose.

Mad. L. Monsieur Manuel! what should he know about it?

Bev. Exactly. I do not clearly perceive why the steward must be better informed of the young lady's movements, than her mother.

Mlle H. Nor I. Yet I think it would be worth while to ask him.

Mad. L. Alain, ask Monsieur Manuel, if he will be so good as to come to me, at once.

Alain. Monsieur Manuel has also gone out on horseback, Madame, and has not yet returned.

Mlle H. Ahem!

Mad. A. Ah, ha!

Bev. And pray, at what time did he go out?

Alain. Just before Mademoiselle Marguerite, sir.

[A pause.

Mad. L. You are all marvellously silent! What do you imagine? what do you infer? Speak, if you would not drive me mad! Still silent! [To Mlle Helouin.] Mademoiselle, your looks convey some hidden meaning. [To Mad. Aubrey.] Cousin.

Mad. A. Oh!

[Weeps.

Mad. L. What's the use of that, Madame? speak out. I always knew you were a fool—don't make me think you are a complete idiot! Bevannes, what does all this mean?

Bev. Alain.

Alain. Sir?

Bev. Did Mademoiselle go out alone?

Alain. No, sir; with the Doctor.

Mad. L. Ah! then all is well.

Bev. Humph!

Mad. L. Bevannes, what do you mean? will you explain or not?

Mlle H. Madame, your generous nature and partiality for the steward, has somewhat blinded your judgment; those who love you have been more watchful. This Monsieur Manuel is—

Enter Manuel—His dress disordered—His face pale, with slight marks of blood upon his forehead.

Man. Here, Madame, you did me the honor to send for me.

Mlle H. You have just returned, sir?

Man. This moment—I met Alain on the stair.

Mad. L. But you are hurt, Monsieur—there's blood upon your forehead.

Man. Nothing of importance, I assure you; the horse fell with me, and got a few scratches—nothing more—a little cold water will set all to right.

Mad. L. This seems to be a night of misfortunes.

Mad. A. [Sighs.] Ah!

Mad. L. Do be quiet.

Man. What has happened, Madame?

Mad. L. Marguerite went out on horseback just after you, and has not yet returned.

Man. Oh, don't be alarmed—I met her.

Mad. L. Oh! when? where?

Man. About six o'clock, on the road to Elfen—she told me she was going on to look at the ruins.

Mad. L. Good heavens! the ruins are in the midst of the forest, and the roads dreadful! She must have lost her way! Alain!

Enter Alain.

Order the carriage. [Exit Alain.] I will send directly—I will go myself.

Man. You may rest certain, Madame, that you will find her. In the meantime, I will get rid of the evidences of my trifling fall. Be assured your daughter is quite safe.

[Exit.

Mad. L. Come, Bevannes, order your horse, and ride by the carriage.

Bev. Thank you, but, with your permission, I'll ride in the carriage. The road is a bad one, and if one horse stumbles, another may.

Mad. L. Well, well, any way you please, only come.

[Exit.

Mad. A. Ah, poor girl, poor girl—

[Weeps.

Bev. Don't be so distressed, Madame. It's not your little niece.

Mad. A. Monsieur de Bevannes, you are a brute!

Bev. So is a donkey, Madame, and yet one died rich in your affection. Ah, if I could only have inherited a portion of his wealth.

[Exit.

Mad. A. I wonder if he means that. He never said anything so civil before. I've a great mind to—

[Going.

Mlle H. Stay—that letter of the steward's which you found in the park—

Mad. A. Well?

Mlle H. Have you got it with you?

Mad. A. Of course.

Mlle H. Give it to me.

Mad. A. To you! Why?

Mlle H. No matter. Suffice it that my hopes, and yours—the very life of all our plans—depend on the use I shall make of that letter.

Mad. A. Oh, well, take it. [Gives letter.] I'm sure you'll make much better use of it than I can. [Aside.] Upon my life I'll go and ask Bevannes what he meant by that.

[Exit.

Mlle H. Why, why did nature endow me with a heart to suffer, an intellect to comprehend? Had I been born a fool, like that woman, this dependent state would have brought with it calm endurance, if not happiness. But, as I am, it is misery. How easy is bounty to the rich. How natural is virtue to the happy. He heard my words as he came in—must have divined their purport. Well, well, if I have taught him to despise me, he shall learn to fear me, too. He dared to read me a lesson, and I hate him for it, even though I profit by it. If I must fall, he shall share the ruin he has caused.

Enter Marguerite.

Mar. Helouin!

Mlle H. Marguerite!

Mar. Hush! To prevent remark, I came by the small stairway, through the conservatory. My mother has been anxious?

Mlle H. Much alarmed. She has gone to seek you.

Mar. I know it. I have sent Alain to overtake and bring her back. Before she comes, I have a word to say to you. It is of Monsieur Manuel. I have strong reason to believe that you have most strangely misjudged his character and his intentions.

Mlle H. I know him to be the Marquis de Champcey.

Mar. And I know that if his birth be noble, his heart is no less so.

Mlle H. It is very recently, then, that you have made the discovery.

Mar. True. Now mark. You have seen the ruins of Elfen?

Mlle H. I have. I was once there with a party, and was the only woman who dared ascend the tower.

Mar. You know the danger, then. Well, I care not now if all the world should hear it. We were alone. By accident, imprisoned in those ruins. I rashly, blindly, falsely accused him, and he, to save my honor and his own, plunged from that tower in to the gulf beneath!

Mlle H. But he escaped.

Mar. I know it and have thanked God for the miracle. I had not strength to implore.

Mlle H. Upon my word, this is an extraordinary man.

Mar. Mademoiselle—

Mlle H. And understands so well how to turn his talents to the best account. Why, poor child, and you don't see through all this? Yesterday it was a swimming match, producing an admirably planned and effectual scene. To-night, it is an exhibition of daring activity. The gentleman has been brilliantly educated.

Mar. You evidently hate him.

Mlle H. And why? On my own account? No! What is he to me? But when I see that he dares to bring his plots and machinations here, and intends you for their victim, I am free to confess, I do despise and hate him!

Mar. These are grave accusations. What proof have you to support them?

Mlle H. Ah, you suspect me. For the sake of this stranger, you doubt the truth of one you have known for years? Well, be it so—I will give you proof, since you demand it. Do you know his handwriting?

Mar. I do. I have had to look over many papers he has copied for my mother.

Mlle H. Look at that letter. Now listen: [Reads.] "My dear Desmarets: I follow your instructions exactly. But will they avail to win for me the bright reward for all I have to endure. I do not think the dowry wilt be as large as I had hoped.—

Mar. Great Heavens!

Mlle H. "But I have sworn to win it, and though there are many obstacles here to make the task a hard one, yet, to achieve it, I will serve, like Jacob, for forty years, if need be—What a pity he did not finish it. This was found under the window of his room by Madame Aubrey and, by her, handed to me.

Mar. Enough. My resolution is taken.

Enter Madame Laroque and Bevannes.

Mad. L. Oh, my dear child! What a state I have been in about you. How did you get back? What happened?

Mar. The shepherd, who locks up the tower of Elfen, happened to fasten it before I left. Some reapers returning home, heard my cries and brought him back to release me, that is all.

Enter Manuel.

Mad. L. Ah, Monsieur, you have recovered from the effects of your fall, I hope?

Man. Entirely, Madame.

Mad. L. [To Marguerite.] But you, my child, must be fatigued, nervous—

Mar. On the contrary, dearest mother, I never felt better or more cheerful than to-night, which I will prove to you whenever the ball commences.

Bev. The ball! why, surely, you'll never think of—

Mar. Dancing? Indeed but I shall though—and you, M. de Bevannes, will be my first partner, will you not?

Bev. With the greatest delight—but pray, let me advise—

Mar. Advise nothing—you shall be my chief cavalier for the evening.

Bev. But my dress—

Mar. Your residence is hardly two miles from this; you can go home, dress, and be here again—all within an hour.

[Speaks to Madame Laroque.

Bev. [Aside.] This anxiety portends something. Bevannes, my boy, the chase is nearly over, for the quarry is in sight.

Mar. Nonsense, my dear mother! I will have my own way for once.

Mad. L. For once!

Mar. My carriage shall take M. de Bevannes, and bring him back. Where are all the servants? Here, some one—oh! the steward! go and order my carriage.

Mad. L. [Surprised at her tone of voice.] My dear.

Man. [Quietly rising and ringing a bell, which summons Alain, who enters.] I believe Mlle Marguerite has some orders for you.

Alain. Mademoiselle—

Mar. I have none—you may leave the room.

[Exit Alain.

Bev. Come, come, this sort of thing won't do.

Mar. Monsieur de Bevannes.

Bev. As you please—but permit me to regret that I have not the right to interfere here.

Man. Your regret is unnecessary, sir—for if I did not see fit to obey the lady's orders, I hold myself at yours.

Bev. Enough, sir; I shall act accordingly.

Mad. L. Gentlemen, I beg, I entreat—

Mar. Monsieur de Bevannes.

Bev. Mademoiselle?

Mar. Have the goodness to follow me—I must speak with you in the presence of my mother only. Not a word, if you would ever speak with me again—follow me now, at once.

[Exit with Madame Laroque.

Bev. [To Manuel.] I believe, sir, we comprehend each other?

Manuel bows—Exit Bevannes—Manuel turns and encounters the look of Mlle Helouin, who curtsies and exits.

Man. I see plainly now to whom I owe all this. Well, well, what matters it to whom? The one thin ray of light upon my desolate and gloomy path has vanished. Pshaw! This is no time for dreams or vain regrets.

[Rings.

Enter Alain.

Has Dr. Desmarets returned?

Alain. No, Monsieur.

Man. The moment he arrives I must see him.

Alain. I know—I know all about it. I overheard. Oh, sir, this is most unfortunate.

Man. It is, but unavoidable. I did not seek it—

Alain. And that devil of a Bevannes is a fine swordsman, and the best pistol-shot in Brittany.

Man. So much the better. The contest will be the more equal.

Alain. Indeed!

Man. I have had much practice with both weapons.

Alain. Oh then, pray do me one favor, sir. Don't kill him, but hit him in the leg. He's so deuced proud of his leg and foot.

Man. There, that will do. Let me know the instant the Doctor arrives.

Alain. I will sir, I will, but don't forget. Pray don't forget the leg—the leg, sir, if you love me.

[Exit.

Man. For myself, it matters not, but my sister, my little darling, helpless sister—should I fall—Oh! Heaven, let my errors be so atoned, and look down in pity on the orphan child, bereaved of earthly succor, to be the more dependent upon thine.

[As he raises his head, he perceives Bevannes approaching, and his bearing becomes calm and resolute.

Enter Bevannes.

Bev. Monsieur Manuel, can I have a few words with you?

Man. I am at your service, sir.

Bev. What I am about to say, considering our position, may seem irregular, but I obey orders which cannot be disputed. Besides, I believe no man can doubt my courage—

Man. Not I, be assured, sir.

Bev. To be brief, I am commissioned by the ladies to express their regret for what has just occurred. M'lle Marguerite, in a moment of forgetfulness, gave you certain orders, which it was plainly not your province to fulfil. Your susceptibility was justly wounded. We admit it, and—

Man. Not one word more, sir, I entreat.

Bev. Your hand. [Manuel gives his hand.] The ladies also desire me to express their hope that this momentary misunderstanding will not deprive them of your good offices, the value of which they fully appreciate, and I am extremely happy in having acquired within the last few minutes, the right to join my entreaty to theirs. My most ardent wish is about to be gratified.

Man. Indeed?

Bev. And I shall feel personally obliged if you will not refuse us your aid upon the eve of an event which family affairs and the failing health of old Monsieur Laroque compels us to hasten.

Enter Alain with a box containing deeds, &c.

Oh, thank you. Place it on the table. [Alain does so and exits.] These are the private papers and memoranda of Mons. Laroque, and the ladies beg, as a proof of their entire confidence, that you will examine them and take notes of such matters as will prove important to the marriage contract.

Man. I shall obey their orders to the best of my ability.

Bev. Thank you, my dear fellow. I feel assured you will, and now, I trust, we shall in future, understand one another better. I do not think that, hitherto, either of us has formed a correct estimate of the other. I protest to you that I'm disposed to like you immensely. For myself, I'm a very nice man, but I must be cultivated. Cultivate me, my dear sir, and I give you my word you'll find me one of the most agreeable fellows you ever knew; you will, indeed. Cultivate me, I beg.

[Exit.

Man. Well, well. He is her equal in fortune, and therefore, of course, above suspicion. Poor girl! She is unaware that, in this world the greatest beggars are not, always the poorest. She would see how I can support the torture she inflicts. She shall be gratified, for she shall see me even at the foot of the altar. But she will not triumph there, for her pride, lofty as it is, shall pale before my own. Now to my work. [Sits and turns over papers.] Nothing here that I have not seen before. "Title Deeds to"—Umph! "Legacies to my children." "Marriage portion for Marguerite" and—Ah! What's this? My name! "The Antilles"—yes, I remember, our family had large estates there, but that, was long ago. Let me see, let me see. [He reads, and as he does so his face expresses, first, surprise, and then conviction and triumph.] Great Heaven! And can this be so? Miserable old man. This, then, is the secret of your wanderings, your visions, and of my unsought influence. And now, now I have them in my power. They shall find that there is still some blood left in the heart that they would crush. This proud, unfeeling girl, has yet to learn the meaning of that bitter word, humility, and she shall learn it.

[Marguerite speaks without.

Mar. He will soon return, dear mother. Meantime I will prepare for the ball.

[She enters, crosses slowly, and exit, after a look at Manuel.

Man. No—no—I can not! Never, never, by my act, shall the blush of shame crimson that noble face. Laroque cannot live long. Let his crime and his confession die before him! [Music.] To my deep love I consecrate the sacrifice.

Burns paper. While he contemplates it burning, Madame Aubrey looks in unseen by him.

SCENE II.—A hall in the Chateau.

Enter Bevannes and Alain, meeting.

Bev. Alain, who arrived just now?

Alain. The Doctor, sir. He's gone to Monsieur Laroque's room.

Bev. Is Mademoiselle Marguerite's carriage ready for me?

Alain. Quite ready, Monsieur.

Bev. Very well. Tell the ladies I shall be back in an hour, at most.

Alain. You'll have to drive fast, sir, to do it in the time.

Bev. I shall make my toilette less perfect than usual, and take an elaborate revenge another time.

Enter Desmarets.

Des. Bevannes that you? where are you off to?

Bev. Home, for a short time.

Des. Better stay where you are—the ladies may want your assistance.

Bev. I know—at the ball—

Des. Ball? stuff! If I don't mistake, you'll have something else to think of. Alain, let that prescription be sent to the village immediately.

Alain. Yes, Doctor.

[Exit.

Bev. Why, what's the matter?

Des. Old Laroque is very ill to-night. By the by, what's this he told me about a marriage in the family?

Bev. Quite true. The fair Marguerite has become alive to my merits—she knows me at last.

Des. And accepts you?

Bev. Of course.

Des. Little fool.

Bev. Sir!

Des. I don't mean you.

Bev. Ah!

Des. I tell you what, my friend, you hardly know what you've undertaken. I wish you joy—I wouldn't have the management of girl for a trifle. Ecod! if she takes a fancy to the moon, she'll expect you to give it her.

Bev. Oh, I'm not afraid. However, I'll go and dress, as it is her wish, and take the chance of the ball coming off.

Des. And you've determined to marry her?

Bev. Most certainly.

Des. Spite of all her caprices?

Bev. Decidedly—

Des. And if she wants the moon—

Bev. She must fetch it herself.

[Exit.

Des. Queer match—what does it mean? As to her loving that fellow, I don't believe a word of it. Now to the old man—it won't do to leave him alone—he's got one of his wandering fits on him, and he'll be all over the house if I don't look to him. What a nice quiet life a doctor's is.

[Exit.

SCENE III.—Same as First—Music.

Manuel discovered asleep—Mad. Aubrey opens door and looks in.

Mad. A. Worn out with the day's excitement, he's asleep at last. [Comes in.] What could that paper have been, I saw him burn? Ah! there's the envelope he threw away, when he put it in the flame. [Picks it up.] So, so—what's that? a footstep.

[Exit.

Monsieur Laroque opens door and looks in—He is very pale and appears much exhausted—He looks back and beckons, as if to followers—Music ceases.