_Bar._ And where is she? _Stra._ I know not, nor do I wish to know. _Bar._ And your children? _Stra._ I left them at a small town hard by. _Bar._ But why did you not keep your children with you? They would have amused you in many a dreary hour. _Stra._ Amused me! Oh, yes! while their likeness to their mother would every hour remind me of my past happiness! No. For three years I have never seen them. I hate that any human creature should be near me, young or old! Had not ridiculous habits made a servant necessary, I should long since have discharged him; though he is not the worst among the bad. _Bar._ Such too often are the consequences of great alliances. Therefore, Charles, I have resolved to take a wife from a lower rank of life. _Stra._ You marry!--Ha! ha! ha! _Bar._ You shall see her. She is in the house where you are expected. Come with me. _Stra._ What! I mix again with the world! _Bar._ To do a generous action without requiring thanks is noble and praise-worthy. But so obstinately to avoid those thanks, as to make the kindness a burden, is affectation. _Stra._ Leave me! leave me! Every one tries to form a circle, of which he may be the centre. As long as there remains a bird in these woods to greet the rising sun with its melody, I shall court no other society. _Bar._ Do as you please to-morrow; but give me your company this evening. _Stra._ [_Resolutely._] No! _Bar._ Not though it were in your power, by this single visit, to secure the happiness of your friend for life? _Stra._ [_Starting._] Ha! then I must--But how?-- _Bar._ You shall sue in my behalf to Mrs. Haller--You have the talent of persuasion. _Stra._ I! my dear Steinfort! _Bar._ The happiness or misery of your friend depends upon it. I'll contrive that you shall speak to her alone. Will you? _Stra._ I will; but upon one condition. _Bar._ Name it. _Stra._ That you allow me to be gone to-morrow, and not endeavour to detain me. _Bar._ Go! Whither? _Stra._ No matter! Promise this, or I will not come. _Bar._ Well, I do promise. Come. _Stra._ I have directions to give my servant. _Bar._ In half an hour then we shall expect you. Remember, you have given your word. _Stra._ I have. [_Exit BARON.--The STRANGER walks up and down, thoughtful and melancholy._]--Francis! _Enter FRANCIS._ _Fra._ Sir! _Stra._ Why are you out of the way? _Fran._ Sir, I came when I heard you call. _Stra._ I shall leave this place to-morrow. _Fra._ With all my heart. _Stra._ Perhaps to go into another land. _Fra._ With all my heart again. _Stra._ Perhaps into another quarter of the globe. _Fra._ With all my heart still. Into which quarter? _Stra._ Wherever Heaven directs! Away! away! from Europe! From this cultivated moral lazaret! Do you hear, Francis? To-morrow early. _Fra._ Very well. [_Going._