Act 2 — SCENE IV.—The Castle Gardens decorated for a Fête, and crowded with Dancers and Musicians: a lofty Terrace crosses the extremity of the Stage, from which Village-Girls advance, scattering flowers before Geraldine, who is led by Florian to an open Temple between the Side-scenes, containing three Seats.
Reading edition
Ger. (Pointing to the centre seat) There is our hero’s seat of triumph: nay, my commands are absolute, and you have no appeal, I reserve this for my uncle, he will join us presently.
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.
Eug. Forsake me not! I have no protector to invoke but you.
Ger. Forbear, my lord, I cannot find that wildness you proclaim; forbear, and recollect the rights of hospitality never yet were violated at my uncle’s gate. Lady, dismiss your fears, here sorrow ever meets a ready shelter, for here resides the Count De Valmont.
Eug. Who?
Ger. The excellent, the suffering Count De Valmont.
Eug. (starting up with recurring insanity.) Ha! ha! ha! come to the altar,—my love waits for me, weave me a bridal crown!
Long. (triumphantly.) Behold! can you doubt me now?
Ger. Too painfully I am convinced; miserable being! Ah! remove her hence, before my uncle joins us; so terrible an object would inexpressibly afflict him.
Flor. Yes, yes; remove her hence! but O! I charge you treat her with the tenderest care.
Long. (eagerly to his people.) Advance! bear her to my pavilion! mark! to my pavilion on the river-bank!
The men seize upon Eugenia—the Count appears at the same moment advancing from the extremity of the Terrace.
De Val. My friends! I come to join your pleasures.
Eug. (struggling violently.) Hark! he calls me to his arms—unhand me! nay, then oh! cruel, cruel, cruel.
Overcome by her exertions, she sinks into a swoon and falls in the arms of the two men. Longueville rapidly draw her veil across to conceal her features from the Count as he advances.
Long. Away with her this instant!
He turns quickly toward the Terrace and catches De Valmont’s arm as he descends to prevent his approach—then turns imperatively to the men.
Long. Quick! Quick! away!
De Valmont pauses in surprize: Longueville maintains his restraining attitude. Florian and Geraldine join to arrest his steps: the bravos withdraw the insensible and unresisting Eugenia upon the opposite side: The various characters dispose themselves into a picture, and the curtain falls upon the Scene.
End of act II.