FERDINAND (releases LOUISA, and looks wildly towards heaven). Be thou witness, Almighty God, that I have left no human means untried to save her! Forgive me now if I have recourse to hellish means. While you are leading her to the pillory (speaking loudly in the PRESIDENT'S ear), I will publish throughout the town a pleasant history of how a president's chair may be gained! [Exit. PRESIDENT (as if thunder-struck). How? What said he? Ferdinand! Release her instantly! (Rushes after his son.) ACT III. SCENE I. Room at the President's. Enter PRESIDENT and WORM. PRESIDENT. That was an infernal piece of business! WORM. Just what I feared, your excellency. Opposition may inflame the enthusiast, but never converts him. PRESIDENT. I had placed my whole reliance upon the success of this attempt. I made no doubt but if the girl were once publicly disgraced, he would be obliged as an officer and a gentleman to resign her. WORM. An admirable idea!--had you but succeeded in disgracing her. PRESIDENT. And yet--when I reflect on the matter coolly--I ought not to have suffered myself to be overawed. It was a threat which he never could have meant seriously. WORM. Be not too certain of that! There is no folly too gross for excited passion! You say that the baron has always looked upon government with an eye of disapprobation. I can readily believe it. The principles which he brought with him from college are ill-suited to our atmosphere. What have the fantastic visions of personal nobility and greatness of soul to do in court, where 'tis the perfection of wisdom to be great and little by turns, as occasion demands? The baron is too young and too fiery to take pleasure in the slow and crooked paths of intrigue. That alone can give impulse to his ambition which seems glorious and romantic! PRESIDENT (impatiently). But how will these sagacious remarks advance our affairs? WORM. They will point out to your excellency where the wound lies, and so, perhaps, help you to find a remedy. Such a character--pardon the observation--ought never to have been made a confidant, or should never have been roused to enmity. He detests the means by which you have risen to power! Perhaps it is only the son that has hitherto sealed the lips of the betrayer! Give him but a fair opportunity for throwing off the bonds imposed upon him by nature! only convince him, by unrelenting opposition to his passion, that you are no longer an affectionate father, and that moment the duties of a patriot will rush upon him with irresistible force! Nay, the high-wrought idea of offering so unparalleled a sacrifice at the shrine of justice might of itself alone have charms sufficient to reconcile him to the ruin of a parent! PRESIDENT. Worm! Worm! To what a horrible abyss do you lead me! WORM. Never fear, my lord, I will lead you back in safety! May I speak without restraint? PRESIDENT (throwing himself into a seat). Freely, as felon with felon.