e time.

ODOARDO.

Conversed with her?

CLAUDIA.

Appeared to be so delighted with her cheerfulness and good sense----

ODOARDO.

Delighted?

CLAUDIA.

Spoke of her elegance and beauty, in terms of such admiration----

ODOARDO.

Admiration? And all this you relate to me in a tone of rapture. Oh,
Claudia! vain, foolish mother!

CLAUDIA.

Why so?

ODOARDO.

Well, well. This, too, has ended happily.--Ha! when I think----That
were exactly the point where a wound would be to me most deadly.--A
libertine, who admires, and seduces----Claudia! Claudia! The very
thought rouses my fury. You ought to have mentioned this to me
immediately.--But to-day I would not willingly say anything to vex you.
And I should (_as she takes him by the hand_), were I to stay longer.
Therefore, let me begone. God be with you, Claudia; follow me in
safety. (_Exit_.)

Scene V.

Claudia, Galotti.

CLAUDIA.

What a man! What rigid virtue--if virtue that should be called, to
which everything seems suspicious and culpable. If this be a knowledge
of mankind, who would not wish to remain in ignorance? Why does Emilia
stay so long?----He dislikes the father--consequently, if he admire the
daughter, he must mean to bring disgrace upon him!

Scene VI.

Emilia _and_ Claudia Galotti.

EMILIA (_rushing in, much alarmed_.)

Heaven be praised! I am now in safety. Or has he even followed me
hither? (_Throwing back her veil and espying her mother_). Has he, my
mother, has he?--No, thank Heaven.

CLAUDIA.

What has happened to you, my daughter?

EMILIA.

Nothing--nothing.

CLAUDIA.

And yet you look wildly round, and tremble in every limb!

EMILIA.

What have I had to hear?--And where have I been forced to hear it?

CLAUDIA.

I thought you were at church.

EMILIA.

I was. But what are churches and altars to the vicious?--Oh, my mother!
(_Throws herself in