_Flo._ Well, baron, since you will force me to act the hero in my own drama, thus runs my story: I was defenceless, helpless, hopeless: two sturdy knaves had mastered my struggling arms, and the dagger of a third gleamed against my throat, when suddenly a female form appeared before us; in an instant, as if by magic, the murderers relaxed their hold, shuddered, recoiled, uttered cries, and fled the spot, the female mute and motionless remained. _Bert._ (_aside to Longueville._) You mark. _Long._ (_repulsing him._) Silence! _Flo._ Cowardice is ever found the mate of Cruelty: this stranger was doubtless regarded by the villains as a preternatural agent, she proved however, a mere mortal, frail and palpable as ourselves. _Bert._ (_listening with tremulous attention._) God! living! _Long._ (_not regarding Bertrand, who has drawn behind._) Whence came this woman? What was she? _Flo._ Alas! the most pitiable object in nature--an unhappy maniac; she resides at the same cottage where I found shelter from the storm. _Bert._ (_as if electrified by a sudden thought._) Direct me, heaven! [He glides silently out of the gallery unobserved by all.] _Long._ Were not any other circumstances linked with this adventure? _Flo._ None of consequence: but I suspect one of the ruffians was known to this wretched woman; her incoherent words implied that she recognized in him an ancient enemy; but her frail remains of intellect, were, for a time, quite unsettled by the terror of the scene; she fled from me to her chamber in dismay, and at daybreak I left the cottage without a second interview. _Long._ Florian! it is necessary this woman should be interrogated further-- (_with much emotion_) not a moment must be lost--dear count, excuse me for an hour, my anxiety admits not of delay. I will myself visit this cottage instantly. [_Exit._ _Ger._ (_half aside to De Valmont_) Uncle, if the baron tarries beyond the hour, we must not wait for his return, recollect it is to be at noon exactly. _Flo._ (_overhearing._) And what at noon, dear Geraldine? _De Val._ (_smiling_) Florian, you are destined to be our hero in peace as well as war--my niece has planned a little fete in compliment to the conquerors of Nordlingen. _Ger._ Fy, uncle, Florian was not to have known of it till the moment, you have betrayed my secret, now as a due punishment for the treason, I impose upon you to appear at our fete in person. _De Val._ What a demand! --I, who never-- _Ger._ Nay, if it be only for a minute, positively you must come among us--nay, I will not be denied. _De Val._ Well, you reign a fairy sovereign for the day, and if it be your will to play the despot, your subjects, though they murmur, must obey. _Ger._ (_embracing him_) There's my kindest uncle! thanks! Florian I warn you not to stir towards the terrace till I summon you, beware of disobedience, I have the power to punish. _Flor._ And to reward also.