aces him. At that moment a loud clap of
thunder is heard, followed by strains of music--the chords grow
ever wilder and more wild.

WIFE. Hark! What is that?

She presses the child closely to her bosom. The music ceases.

THE MAIDEN (_entering_). O my beloved, I bring thee joy and peace: come,
follow me! Throw off the earthly fetters which enchain, thee, O my love,
and follow me! I have sought thee from a new world of endless bliss, in
which night never comes--ah! I am only thine!

WIFE. Save me, holy Mother of God!

This ghost is ghastly pale--its eyes are dying out--its voice is hollow
as the rolling of the death-hearse with the corpse!

THE MAN. Thy white brow glitters; thy fair head is wreathed with
flowers, O beloved!

WIFE. A white shroud hangs in tatters from the shoulders to the feet!

THE MAN. Around and from thee rays the light of heaven! but once to hear
thy voice--then die!

THE MAIDEN. She who restrains and impedes thee is but an illusion; her
life a passing breath; her love a dying leaf, to fall with thousands of
its fellows at the first chill breath, lost and withered--but I will
endure forever!

WIFE. Henry--Henry! hide me! Oh do not leave me! the air is filled with
sulphur, heavy with the breath of the grave!

THE MAN. Envy not, nor slander, O woman of dust and clay! Behold the
Ideal in which God created you--His first thought of what you were meant
to be. But following the counsel of the serpent, you became what you now
are!

WIFE. I will never leave you!

THE MAN. Beloved, I forsake my house, my all, and follow thee!

WIFE. Henry! Henry! Henry!

She falls to the floor in a fainting fit, with the child in her
arms; loud and repeated claps of thunder are again heard.

* * * * *

The baptism. Guests. Father Benjamin. The Godfather and Godmother.
The nurse with the child in her arms; the Wife seated upon the
sofa. Retainers and servants in the background.

FIRST GUEST. I wonder where the count is hiding.

SECOND GUEST. Perhaps he has been accidentally detained, or he may be
writing verses.

FIRST GUEST. How pale and tired the countess looks, and as yet she has
spoken to no one.

THIRD GUEST. This christening reminds me of a ball which I once
attended; the host had just lost his whole estate at cards, and was a
complete bankrupt, while he continued to receive his many guests with
the courtesy of despair.