_Enter MRS. HALLER, COUNTESS, and BARON._
_Mrs. H._ [_Advances slowly, and in a tremour. COUNTESS attempts to support her._] Leave me now, I beseech you. [_Approaches the STRANGER, who, with averted countenance, and in extreme agitation, awaits her address._] My lord!
_Stra._ [_With gentle tremulous utterance, and face still turned away._] What would you with me, Adelaide?
_Mrs. H._ [_Much agitated._] No--for Heaven's sake! I was not prepared for this--Adelaide!--No, no. For Heaven's sake!--Harsh tones alone are suited to a culprit's ear.
_Stra._ [_Endeavouring to give his voice firmness._] Well, madam!
_Mrs. H._ Oh! if you will ease my heart, if you will spare and pity me, use reproaches.
_Stra._ Reproaches! Here they are; here on my sallow cheek--here in my hollow eye--here in my faded form. These reproaches I could not spare you.
_Mrs. H._ Were I a hardened sinner, this forbearance would be charity: but I am a suffering penitent, and it overpowers me. Alas! then I must be the herald of my own shame. For, where shall I find peace, till I have eased my soul by my confession?
_Stra._ No confession, madam. I release you from every humiliation. I perceive you feel, that we must part for ever.
_Mrs. H._ I know it. Nor come I here to supplicate your pardon; nor has my heart contained a ray of hope that you would grant it. All I dare ask is, that you will not curse my memory.
_Stra._ [_Moved._] No, I do not curse you. I shall never curse you.
_Mrs. H._ [_Agitated._] From the conviction that I am unworthy of your name, I have, during three years abandoned it. But this is not enough; you must have that redress which will enable you to chuse another--another wife; in whose chaste arms, may Heaven protect your hours in bliss! This paper will be necessary for the purpose: it contains a written acknowledgement of my guilt.
_Stra._ [_Tearing it._] Perish the record, for ever.--No, Adelaide, you only have possessed my heart; and, I am not ashamed to own it, you alone will reign there for ever.--Your own sensations of virtue, your resolute honour, forbid you to profit by my weakness; and even if--Now, by Heaven, this is beneath a man! But--never--never will another fill Adelaide's place here.