SCENE I.--_View of corbey abbey, open country and chateau._ _Enter countess_ Roland _and attendants._ _Count._ How fortunate! how very fortunate! Whilst I was in pursuit of that low wretch, call'd Christopher, I call'd in at the marquis Alberti's, and heard the welcome news, that my nephew, count Roland, and his falconers were almost instantly expected! Charming! delightful! tho' I didn't see him when he visited Roland castle--though this will be our first, I trust it won't be our last meeting; for, in my mind, his real motive is not to see the good old marquis, but a young fair one, called Ulrica. Oh! if it prove as I suspect, I'll match these hesitating Ravensburgs! [_Going into the chateau._ Oliver _enters from it._ _Ol._ Oh, madam, I'm so glad you're come, for what with the prince, and the baron being absent, and my poor Agnes not yet return'd and the poor lock'd up lady Ulrica yonder (_pointing to a window in the chateau_) sighing for her cousin Christopher! I was just saying, anybody's company would be better than nobody's. _Count._ Cousin Christopher, the unknown impostor I'm in search of. And after I have so convinced the baron!-- _Ol._ I know--I know you have convinced the baron, that you've no poor Franconia relations; but I do say, as the lady Ulrica has no objection, I wish this Christopher were her husband, (_countess frowns._) I do; for in that case, she not being able to marry my young master, and my young master being able to marry Agnes, I should see what I hav'n't seen since I lost my sweet Seraphina! a real happy handsome couple. _Count._ Show me in, Sir; and instead of chattering about my pretended nephew Christopher, talk of my real nephew, count Roland! who, though to me a stranger, is none to the lady Ulrica, as you call her. (_Horns without._) Hark! he comes! count Roland comes! and, as I thought--see! towards Ulrica's residence! to sigh and moan under his true-love's window!--Now for it. I'll just step in, and give further orders for pursuing this sham nephew, Christopher; and then, if I don't match old baron Ravensburg, and his capricious son, say I'm no match-maker. _Exit into the chateau, preceded by Oliver._ _Enter count_ Roland _and 1st Falconer._ _Count._ Behold the beauties of this far-fam'd spot, and foremost to delight the traveller's eye, yon venerable Abbey! founded by him whose laurels shall for ever bloom. _1st. Falc._ And see, my lord, yonder is the marquis Alberti's chateau. _Count._ Happy Alberti! who having brav'd the perils of the ocean, now finds a haven in his faithful Ella's love. Oh! I shall ne'er forget the day they parted, nor that tempestuous night, when many a shipwreck'd mariner was lost. SONG--_Count._ I. Says Ella to her love, "remember Though doom'd to part, you constant view That moon, which rises in such splendour, I too, will look, and think of you. Anxious Ella shall not sleep Whilst her sailor braves the deep."