ur 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 w