_Baron_ (_introducing Ulrica._) This is the lady, your highness; and she not only boasts great rank, and, as you see great beauty; but she has nothing of what destroyed my matrimonial happiness--no distant relations, no poor cousins, nephews, nieces, and grandchildren, who, on a rich man marrying into a family, actually treat him as private property, and go on getting more cousins. _Prince_ (_to Ravensburg._) She seems as artless as if trained in humble unsophisticated life; and I prognosticate, will yield that calm content which I, alas! can never hope to taste--never!--Come let us in, and on tomorrow be the nuptials solemnized. (_Ravensburg appeals._) _Enter_ Agnes. _Agnes._ Madam--the----(_countess stops her_.) _Prince._ Ay, Ravensburg, tomorrow; for, harassed as we are by foul conspiracy, our stay's precarious; and 'till we're summon'd to the scene of danger, let loud festivity and outward show dismiss our inward grief. _Ravens._ My liege, may I suggest---- _Baron._ Suggest nothing--'tis all settled--the prince has said it. I've said it; and tomorrow the priest, shall say it. Lead on--away--and yet, bless me, how rude I am. I have introduced your highness only to Ulrica. That, entering the chateau, is her aunt, the countess Roland. (_Countess curtsies to the prince, and exit_). That next to her is Agnes, the poor orphan Agnes. _Ravens._ The poor! My liege, though rank nor fortune smil'd upon her birth, she is so rich in more substantial charms, that you, her sovereign, might be proud to boast a daughter of such peerless worth. _Prince_ (_starting, and gazing on Agnes with great emotion._) That form, those eyes! that mark'd, majestic, ne'er to be forgotten mien! (_Agnes curtsies, and exit._) Merciful powers! Whence came she, Ravensburg? Fly, swift recall her! yet hold! for if it prove----Impossible, it cannot be!--and the dread vision past, we are ourselves, and hail the festive scene. [_Music. Exeunt into the chateau; the baron and Oliver remaining to usher the party in. The baron is following; Oliver stops him._ _Oliver._ One word, only one word from your faithful old Oliver, who can't help reminding you, that he became your servant this day thirty years. _Baron._ I know you can't. You are always reminding me; and if you go on presuming upon long service, and making honesty so very troublesome--give me a civil downright rascal! And so follow, and assist in preparing for the glorious union of the Rolands and the Ravensburgs--of two families who boast pedigrees. _Oliver._ Granted: but I've seen what you might, have seen. Your son don't love Ulrica: he loves my poor dear Agnes! _Baron._ Granted. Thanks to the countess, I've seen it ever since he came from the wars; and if Agnes had seen it, she had never seen my house again; but as she chose to be discreet, she shall now see an union that will blazon our family hall with Norman, Saxon, Spanish, Danish--in short, with heraldry never yet seen or heard of.