SCENE III.
Reading edition
Another Room at Lapoche's.
Enter Rosa.
Rosa. I wonder what can keep Lord Winlove! I wish we were once upon the road!—this anxiety is tormenting; I long, though why desire, to see England, when all I love, is here?
Enter Nannette.
Oh, Nannette, is the gentleman come?
Nan. No, ma'am, but I desired the boy to show him to this apartment.
Henry. [Without.] What! is the lady this way?
Nan. The devil take the blockhead! may I die, if it isn't the young English officer, he's sending up here.
Rosa. Shut the door, I'll be seen by nobody—Undone! my brother Henry!—
Enter Henry.
Henry. Is it possible? can it be!—My dear, will you step down a moment? [Exit Nannette.] My sister Rosa!
Rosa. What shall I do?
Henry. Escaped from the convent, I suppose?—Tell me, Rosa, what—lost to every sense of virtue! to fly from the only place that could afford an asylum for your shame?
Rosa. My dear brother! though appearances are against me, yet, when you are acquainted with certain circumstances, which prudence forbids me, at present, to account for——
Henry. Talk of prudence, and your fame blemished—your character departed with its destroyer.—But, of your Lord Winlove's memory, let me be tender, as his life has answered for his share in your offence.
Rosa. [Aside.] He does not know yet of my lord's being alive—I dread his return—their meeting again must, indeed, be fatal.
Henry. Tell me, Rosa, why would you quit the convent?
Rosa. [Aside.] I must get Henry out of the house before my Lord Winlove comes back! how shall I?—Come, take me, I'll go with you there this instant—do forgive me; come, dear brother!
Henry. Yes, yes; I'll lodge you once more:—yet how perplexing! if I quit Fontainbleau at this juncture, I may lose my wished-for interview, with the unknown charmer that brought me hither.
Rosa. [Aside.] Ruin! I think I hear—if it should be Lord Winlove!—Come, Henry, I have but little preparation, and will immediately attend you.
Henry. Be assured I won't part with you now, untill I again deliver you to the Lady Abbess, with a strict charge, that she'll strengthen your spiritual chains. [Aside.] And yet the sympathy of my own heart, inclines me to excuse the weakness of my sister's.
DUETT.—HENRY and ROSA.
Brooks, to your sources, ah, quickly return! Tear drop on tear, and give life to the urn; Truth and virtue pass away, Ere I for another my true love betray.
[Exeunt.