, while I sought you out to
ask advice. Just now, a horse without a rider, burst furiously through
the thicket where we lay; the lightning flashed brightly at the time,
and I plainly marked the steed to be the very same young Florian rode,
when we dogged him from the last inn, at sunset.

_Bert._ (_involuntarily_) merciful God! then thou hast preserved him.

_Long._ Villain! you may find your transports premature; perchance he
has dismounted to seek on foot some shelter from the increasing fury of
the storm; but 'tis impossible he should escape; one only path conducts
to the chateau. Quick! bestow yourselves on either side, and your
victim's fate is certain. I must return to avoid suspicion.

_Bert._ (_catching his arm._) Yet, my lord, once more reflect.

_Long._ (_throwing him off._) Recollect your oath.

_Bert._ (_desperately._) Yes, yes, it must be written on my memory in
characters of blood. [_Exeunt separately._

SCENE IV.--_Another part of the forest more entangled and intricate,
the tempest becomes violent, and the stage appears alternately
illumined by the lightning, and enveloped in utter darkness. Florian
is seen advancing cautiously through the thickets from a distance._

_Flor._ A plague upon all dark nights, foul ways, and runaway horses!
a mettlesome madcap, to start at the lightning and plunge with me head
over heels in the brushwood; in scrambling out of that thicket,
I certainly turned wrong, and have missed my road--how to regain it?
'sdeath! I could as soon compose an almanac as and a clue to this
puzzle. Well, I was found in a wood when a baby, and have just lived to
years of discretion to be lost in a wood again! Fortune! Fortune! thou
spiteful gipsy! was this an honest trick to pass upon a faithful
servant, who has worn thy livery from his cradle, and taken off thy
hands a thousand knocks and buffetings without a murmur? Just at this
moment too, when hope and fancy were dancing merrily, and had made the
prettiest ball-room of my heart--just too when the image of my
Geraldine-- (_rain, storm increases_) but a truce with meditation, this
pelting shower rather advises action-- (_turns to an opening_) --No;
that can't be the path; which ever way I turn I may only get farther
entangled; then there are pit-falls, wolves, bears--yes! I've the
prospect of a delectable night before me; what if I exercise my lungs
and call for help? oh! there's scarcely a chance of being heard; well,
'tis my