WIFE. A white shroud hangs in tatters from the shoulders to the feet! THE MAN. Around and from thee rays the light of heaven! but once to hear thy voice--then die! THE MAIDEN. She who restrains and impedes thee is but an illusion; her life a passing breath; her love a dying leaf, to fall with thousands of its fellows at the first chill breath, lost and withered--but I will endure forever! WIFE. Henry--Henry! hide me! Oh do not leave me! the air is filled with sulphur, heavy with the breath of the grave! THE MAN. Envy not, nor slander, O woman of dust and clay! Behold the Ideal in which God created you--His first thought of what you were meant to be. But following the counsel of the serpent, you became what you now are! WIFE. I will never leave you! THE MAN. Beloved, I forsake my house, my all, and follow thee! WIFE. Henry! Henry! Henry! She falls to the floor in a fainting fit, with the child in her arms; loud and repeated claps of thunder are again heard. * * * * * The baptism. Guests. Father Benjamin. The Godfather and Godmother. The nurse with the child in her arms; the Wife seated upon the sofa. Retainers and servants in the background. FIRST GUEST. I wonder where the count is hiding. SECOND GUEST. Perhaps he has been accidentally detained, or he may be writing verses. FIRST GUEST. How pale and tired the countess looks, and as yet she has spoken to no one. THIRD GUEST. This christening reminds me of a ball which I once attended; the host had just lost his whole estate at cards, and was a complete bankrupt, while he continued to receive his many guests with the courtesy of despair. FOURTH GUEST. I left my lovely princess, and came here, because I thought to play my part at a gay breakfast; but I am disappointed, for it seems to me that I am, as the Scripture hath it, in the midst of 'wailing and gnashing of teeth.' FATHER BENJAMIN. George Stanislaus, wilt thou receive holy unction? GODFATHER AND GODMOTHER. I receive it. A GUEST. Look! look! the countess rises from the sofa, and comes slowly forward as if in a dream! ANOTHER GUEST. How she reels and totters--poor thing! She is advancing to the infant--how deadly pale she grows! THIRD GUEST. Shall I offer her my arm? She looks as if about to faint-- FATHER BENJAMIN. George Stanislaus! wilt thou renounce the devil and all his works? GODFATHER AND GODMOTHER. I renounce them. A GUEST. Hush! the countess--look! WIFE (_laying her hand softly on the head of the infant_). Where is thy father, tell me, George? FATHER BENJAMIN. I beg that the ceremony may not be interrupted. WIFE. Bless thee, George! I bless thee, my son! Become a poet, that thy father may love thee, and never desert thee, George! GODMOTHER. I conjure you, my dear Mary! WIFE. Become a poet! that thus thou mayst serve thy father, mayst please him, and then he will forgive thy mother, and return-- FATHER BENJAMIN. For the love of God, countess!