e decides to join the
conspiracy against his own person.--Knowing his secretary, Fritelli to
be one of the conspirators, he declares that he is acquainted with
their proceedings and threatens him with death, should he not silently
submit to all his orders.--The frightened Italian promises to lead him
into the house of Lasky, the principal conspirator, where he intends to
appear as De Nangis. But before this, in order to prevent discovery he
{170} assembles his guard and suite, and in their presence accuses his
favorite De Nangis with treachery, and has him safely locked up in
apparent deep disgrace.

The second act opens with a festival at Lasky's, under cover of which
the King is to be arrested and sent over the frontier. Now the King,
being a total stranger to the whole assembly, excepting Fritelli,
presents himself as De Nangis and swears to dethrone his fickle friend,
the King, this very night. But meanwhile De Nangis, who, warned by
Minka's song, has escaped from his confinement through the window,
comes up, and is at once presented by the pretended De Nangis as King
Henry. The true De Nangis complying with the jest, at once issues his
Kingly orders, threatening to punish his antagonists and proclaiming
his intention to make the frightened Minka his Queen. He is again
confined by the conspirators, who, finding him so dangerous, resolve to
kill him. This is entirely against King Henry's will, and he at once
revokes his oath, proclaiming himself to be the true King and offering
himself, if need shall be as their victim. But he is not believed; the
only person, who knows him, Fritelli, disowns him, and Alexina, the
secretary's wife, a former sweetheart of the King in Venice, to whom he
has just made love again under his assumed name, declares, that he is
De Nangis.--Henry is even appointed by lot to inflict the death-stroke
on the unfortunate King. Determined to destroy himself rather than let
his friend suffer, he opens the door to De Nangis' {171} prison, but
the bird has again flown. Minka, though despairing of ever belonging
to one so highborn has found means to liberate him, and is now ready to
suffer for her interference. She is however protected by Henry, who
once more swears to force the King from the country.

The third act takes place in the environs of Crakow, where preparations
are made for the King's entry. No one knows who is to be crowned,
Henry de Valois or the Arch-Duke of Austria, the pre