in the baptism, and Andre, who is to be captain
of the boat, is about to choose a god-mother amongst the fair maidens
around, when he sees Gervaise coming out of the house, where she has
exchanged her travelling garb for a national-dress. Forgotten are all
the village-lasses, and Andre chooses Gervaise, who reluctantly
consents to baptize the boat, and is consequently received very
ungraciously by the maidens and their elders. She blesses the boat
which sails off among the cheers of the crowd with the simple words:
"God bless thee". Andre, who loves Gervaise with strong and
everlasting affection turns to her full of hope. He is gently but
firmly rebuked, and sadly leaves her, while Gervaise is left to her own
sad memories, which carry her back to the short happy time, when she
was loved and won and alas {160} forsaken by a stranger of high
position. Marion, who loves Andre hopelessly, vainly tries to brighten
up her companion. They are all frightened by the news of a ship being
in danger at sea. A violent storm has arisen, and when Maire Grisard,
the builder of the yacht pronounces her name "Irrlicht," Gervaise
starts with a wild cry. The ship is seen battling with the waves,
while Andre rushes in to bring Gervaise a telegraphic dispatch from
Paris. It tells her, that her child is at death's door. Tournaud,
catching the paper, in a moment guesses the whole tragedy of his
daughter's life. In his shame and wrath he curses her, but all her
thoughts are centered on the ship, on which the count, her child's
father is struggling against death. She implores Andre to save him,
but he is deaf to her entreaties. Then she rushes off to ring the
alarm-bell, but nobody dares to risk his life in the storm. At last,
seeing all her efforts vain, she looses a boat, and drives out alone
into night and perdition. As soon as Andre perceives her danger, he
follows her. At this moment a flash of lightning which is followed by
a deafening crash shows the Yacht rising out of the waves for the last
time, and then plunging down into a watery grave forever.--The whole
assembly sink on their knees in fervent prayer, which is so far
granted, that Andre brings back Gervaise unhurt. She is but in a deep
swoon, and her father, deeply touched, pardons her. When she opens her
eyes, and shudderingly understands that her sacrifice was fruitless,
she takes a little {161} flask of poison from her bosom and slowly
empties it. Then, taking a