_Eug._ Swear to preserve me, swear not to yield me to the murderer's dagger; no, no, you have a human heart; am I not safe with you? _Flor._ My honor and my manhood both are pledges for your safety: but who is the enemy you dread! _Eug._ Longueville; he seeks my life: nay, nay, I am not mad, indeed I am not; turn not from me: look with compassion on a desolate, devoted creature, whom man conspires to wrong, and Heaven forgets to aid. _Flor._ Appease these agonies; by my eternal hope, I swear, whatever the danger, or the foe that threatens, I will defend you with my life from injury. _Eug._ A wretch's blessing crown thee for the generous vow! oh! let my soul dissolve and gush in tears upon this gracious hand! [_Eugenia_ enthusiastically clasps Florian's hand, and covers it with tears and caresses; suddenly a new impulse appears to direct her actions: she rubs the back of the hand she has seized with strange earnestness, and a tremor pervades her entire frame.] _Flor._ Why do you fasten thus your looks upon my hand: what moves your wonder? _Eug._ (_tremblingly._) This scar, this deep, _deep_ scar, that with a crimson cross o'erseams your hand; speak, how gained you first this dreadful mark? _Flor._ From infancy I recollect the stamp, its cause remains unknown. _Eug._ Who were your parents? _Flor._ Alas! that knowledge never blessed my heart. I am a foundling: eighteen years since, in a forest at the foot of the Cevennes-- _Eug._ Ah! did watchful angels then--yes, yes, twice the dagger struck! 'tis nature's holy proof! _Flor._ Merciful heavens! you then possess the secret of my birth: woman! woman! pronounce my parents' name, and I will worship you. _Eug._ Your parents! ah! they were, ah! ah! [She attempts to enfold him with her arms, but faints as he receives the embrace.] _Flor._ Speak! I conjure you, speak! breathe but their sacred name! she hears me not, and nature struggles at my heart in vain! Enter _Longueville_ and _Sanguine_ at distance. _Long._ The lurking knave, whate'er his aim, has fled beyond our search, and all is now secure. Has Lenoire return'd your signal to approach the bank? _Sang._ He rows towards us now--nay, look--the boat draws close. _Long._ Then to our last decisive deed! [Passing to the pavilion he beholds the characters in front, and starts.] Ha! confusion and despair! Eugenia rescued, and in Florian's arms! _Flor._ Help, baron!--swiftly help!--aid me to preserve a dying woman! _Long._ Florian! by what wild chance at such unwonted hour I find you on this spot, admits not of inquiry now--but for this fair impostor, resign her to my care--with me her safety is at once assured. _Flor._ Pardon me, Longueville; whate'er the laws of courtesy demand, I yield--but to this female's fate my soul is newly bound by ties so strange and strong, that even your displeasure must not part us. [The alarum-bell tolls from the castle.]