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COUNTESS, DUCHESS, THEKLA.

Thekla (endeavouring to hold back the Duchess). Dear mother, do

stay here!

Duchess. No! Here is yet

Some frightful mystery that is hidden from me.

Why does my sister shun me? Don’t I see her

Full of suspense and anguish roam about

From room to room? — Art thou not full of terror? 5

And what import these silent nods and gestures

Which stealthwise thou exchangest with her?

Thekla. Nothing:

Nothing, dear Mother!

Duchess (to the Countess). Sister, I will know.

Countess. What boots it now to hide it from her? Sooner

Or later she must learn to hear and bear it. 10

‘Tis not the time now to indulge infirmity,

Courage beseems us now, a heart collected,

And exercise and previous discipline

Of fortitude. One word, and over with it!

Sister, you are deluded. You believe, 15

The Duke has been deposed — The Duke is not

Deposed — he is ——

Thekla (going to the Countess). What? do you wish to kill her?

Countess. The Duke is ——

Thekla (throwing her arms round her mother). O stand firm! stand

firm, my mother!

Countess. Revolted is the Duke, he is preparing 20

To join the enemy, the army leave him,

And all has failed.

[After 22] [During these words the DUCHESS totters, and

falls in a fainting fit into the arms of her daughter. While THEKLA is

calling for help, the curtain drops. 1800, 1828, 1829.