Louis. Forgive me if I grieve thee. I will tell thee all. Thy husband hates me, for I charged him with neglect and cruelty to thee; and he hath vowed revenge for my bold words. He hath whispered false tales to the king, he hath blighted all my hopes of rank and honor. I am banished from the land, and must leave thee and Leonore, and wander forth an outcast and alone. But--let him beware!--I shall return to take a deep revenge for thy wrongs and my own. Nay, sister, grieve not thus. I have sworn to free thee from his power, and I will keep my vow. Hope on and bear a little longer, dear Theresa, and ere long I will bear thee to a happy home [_noise is heard without_]. Ha! what is that? Who comes?
Theresa. 'Tis my lord returning from the court. Fly, Louis, fly! Thou art lost if he discover thee. Heaven bless and watch above thee. Remember poor Theresa, and farewell.
Louis. One last word of Leonore. I have never told my love, yet she hath smiled on me, and I should have won her hand. Ah, tell her this, and bid her to be true to him who in his exile will hope on, and yet return to claim the heart he hath loved so faithfully. Farewell, my sister. Despair not,--I shall return.
[_Exit_ Louis _through the secret panel; drops his dagger._
Theresa. Thank Heaven, he is safe!--but oh, my husband, this last deed of thine is hard to bear. Poor Louis, parted from Leonore, his fair hopes blighted, all by thy cruel hand. Ah, he comes! I must be calm.
Rod. What, weeping still? Hast thou no welcome for thy lord save tears and sighs? I'll send thee to a convent if thou art not more gay!
Theresa. I'll gladly go, my lord. I am weary of the world. Its gayeties but make my heart more sad.
Rod. Nay, then I will take thee to the court, and there thou _must_ be gay. But I am weary; bring me wine, and smile upon me as thou used to do. Dost hear me? Weep no more. [_Seats himself._ Theresa _brings wine and stands beside him. Suddenly he sees the dagger dropped by_ Louis.] Ha! what is that? 'Tis none of mine. How came it hither? Answer, I command thee!
Theresa. I cannot. I must not, dare not tell thee.
Rod. Darest thou refuse to answer? Speak! Who hath dared to venture hither? Is it thy brother? As thou lovest life, I bid thee speak.