ises
is concluding an anthem to the "noble Baptist." Eva and Magdalene,
her nurse, are in one of the pews that fill the nave of the church.
Walther stands in the aisle, leaning against a pillar, from which
position he can watch the fair one. He tries whenever her eyes
stray his way, as, irresistibly attracted, they frequently do,
to convey to her by glance and gesture his prayer for a moment's
interview. Magdalene feels herself repeatedly obliged to recall
her young lady's attention to the church-service. The congregation
rises at last and flocks to the church-door. Walther steps before
the two women as they are passing forth with the rest, with the
hurried demand to Eva for a word, a single word. Magdalene, who is
a step behind, has not caught his request. Eva with quick resource
sends her back to the pew for her forgotten kerchief. But Walther
has become alarmed at his own boldness, and instead of utilising
his opportunity to utter or obtain that "single word," falls to
pouring forth many disconnected words by way of leading up to the
all-important question. He has not contrived to get it out before
Magdalene returns. But Eva then discovers that her brooch too has
been left in the pew. Walther, because he really dreads to hear
an answer which may dash his dearest hopes, makes no better use
of this second chance than of the first; he is still leading up
to his famous question when Magdalene brings the brooch. But upon
this fortune favours him, Magdalene must run back to the pew for
her forgotten prayer-book; and in the brief interval of her search
Walther asks breathlessly of Eva: if she be already betrothed! She
does not reply by the instantaneous negative he had hoped for, and
the passionate wish breaks from his lips that he had never crossed
the threshold of her father's house! Magdalene, who has rejoined
them, bridles indignantly at such an expression from him. "How now,
my lord, what is this you say? Scarce arrived in Nuremberg, were
you not hospitably received? Is not the best afforded by kitchen and
cellar, cupboard and store-room, deserving of any gratitude whatever?"
Eva tries to silence her: "That is not what he meant, good Lene.
But... this information he desires of me--How am I to say it? I
hardly myself understand! I feel as if I were dreaming--He wishes
to know whether I am already betrothed?" Lene at this recognises, of
course, that here is that reprobate thing, a lover, and remembers
her first duty as