MR. ANHALT. War called him away—Wounded in the field, he was taken to the adjacent seat of a nobleman, whose only daughter, by anxious attention to his recovery, won his gratitude; and, influenced by the will of his worldly friends, he married. But no sooner was I received into the family, and admitted to his confidence, than he related to me your story; and at times would exclaim in anguish—“The proud imperious Baroness avenges the wrongs of my deserted Agatha.” Again, when he presented me this living, and I left France to take possession of it, his last words before we parted, were—“The moment you arrive at Wildenhaim, make all enquiries to find out my poor Agatha.” Every letter from him contained “Still, still, no tidings of my Agatha.” And fate ordained it should be so, till this fortunate day. AGATHA. What you have said has made my heart overflow—where will this end? MR. ANHALT. I know not yet the Baron’s intentions: but your sufferings demand immediate remedy: and one way only is left—Come with me to the castle. Do not start—you shall be concealed in my apartments till you are called for. AGATHA. I go to the Baron’s?—No. MR. ANHALT. Go for the sake of your son—reflect, that his fortunes may depend upon your presence. AGATHA. And he is the only branch on which my hope still blossoms: the rest are withered.—I will forget my wrongs as a woman, if the Baron will atone to the mother—he shall have the woman’s pardon, if he will merit the mother’s thanks—[_after a struggle_]—I _will_ go to the castle—for the sake of my Frederick, go even to his father. But where are my good host and hostess, that I may take leave, and thank them for their kindness? MR. ANHALT. [taking up the purse which Agatha had thrown down]. Here, good friend! Good woman! _Enter the_ COTTAGER _and his_ WIFE. WIFE. Yes, yes, here I am. MR. ANHALT. Good people, I will take your guest with me. You have acted an honest part, and therefore receive this reward for your trouble. [_He offers the purse to the_ Cottager, _who puts it by, and turns away_]. MR. ANHALT. [_to the_ Wife]. Do _you_ take it. WIFE. I always obey my pastor. [_taking it_]. AGATHA. Good bye. [_shaking hands with the Cottagers_.] For your hospitality to me, may ye enjoy continued happiness. COTTAGER. Fare you well—fare you well. WIFE. If you find friends and get health, we won’t trouble you to call on us again: but if you should fall sick or be in poverty, we shall take it very unkind if we don’t see you. [_Exeunt_ Agatha _and_ Anhalt _on one side_, Cottager _and his_ Wife on the other]. SCENE II. _A Room in the Castle._ BARON _sitting upon a sopha_.—FREDERICK _standing near him, with one hand pressed between his—the_ Baron _rises_. BARON. Been in battle too!—I am glad to hear it. You have known hard services, but now they are over, and joy and happiness will succeed.—The reproach of your birth shall be removed, for I will acknowledge you my son, and heir to my estate.