I have joy in my heart! To-morrow I'll be your wife, Happy couple, The future is ours! Each day new songs, Your genius opens its wings, My conquering song Is the echo of your heart. HOFFMAN (smiling). Still, oh my affianced, Shall I speak my thought? That, spite of myself, troubles me, Music inspires a little jealousy, You love it too much! ANTONIA (smiling). See the strange fantasy! Did I love you for it, or it for you? For you are not going to forbid me To sing, as did my father. HOFFMAN. What say you? ANTONIA. Yes, my father at present imposes the virtue Of silence. HOFFMAN (aside). 'Tis strange... can it be?... ANTONIA (drawing him to the clavichord). Come here as before; Listen, and you'll see if I've lost my voice. HOFFMAN. How your eye lights up, your hand trembles. ANTONIA (making him sit down). Here, the soft song of love we sang together. (She sings.) 'Tis a song of love That flies off Sad or joyful, Turn by turn, 'Tis a song of love, The new rose Smiles on the Spring. Ah! how long will it be That it lives? TOGETHER. 'Tis a song of love That flies off, etc., etc. HOFFMAN. A ray of flame Matches thy beauty. Will you see the summer? Flower of the soul. TOGETHER. 'Tis a song of love, etc., etc. (Antonia puts her hand to her heart.) HOFFMAN. Why, what is the matter? ANTONIA (doing same again). Nothing. HOFFMAN (listening). Chut. ANTONIA. Heavens, my father! Come, come... (She goes out.) HOFFMAN. No! I must know the last word of this mystery. (He hides. Crespel appears.) CRESPEL (looking about him). No, nothing. I thought Hoffman was here. May he go to the devil! HOFFMAN (aside). Many thanks! FRANTZ (entering). Sir. CRESPEL. What? FRANTZ. Doctor Miracle. CRESPEL. Infamous scoundrel, Quickly close the door. FRANTZ. Yes, sir, the doctor... CRESPEL. He, doctor? No, on my soul, A grave digger, an assassin! Who would kill my daughter after my wife. I hear the jingle of his golden vials, From me let him be chased. (Miracle suddenly appears. Frantz runs away.) MIRACLE. Ha, ha, ha, ha! CRESPEL. Well, here I am! 'tis me. This good monsieur Crespel, I like him, But where is he? CRESPEL (stopping him). Morbleu! MIRACLE. Ha, ha, ha, ha! I sought for your Antonia. Well, this trouble she inherited From her mother? Still progressing, dear girl. We'll cure her. Take me to her. CRESPEL. To assassinate her... If you make one step I'll throw you out of the window. MIRACLE. There now softly, I do not wish to Displease you. (He advances a chair.) CRESPEL. What do you, traitor? MIRACLE. To minimize the danger, One must know it. Let me question her. CRESPEL AND HOFFMAN. Terror penetrates me. (Ensemble.) (Miracle, his hand extended toward Antonia's room.) To my conquering power, Give way with good grace. Near me without terror Come take your place. CRESPEL AND HOFFMAN.