Soon wrested from him the disastrous secret.
Too late we missed her, hastened after her,
We found her lying in his arms, all pale,
And in a swoon.

WALLENSTEIN.
A heavy, heavy blow!
And she so unprepared! Poor child! how is it?
[Turning to the DUCHESS.
Is she coming to herself?

DUCHESS.
Her eyes are opening----

COUNTESS.
She lives!

THEKLA (looking around her).
Where am I?

WALLENSTEIN (steps to her, raising her up in his arms).
Come, cheerly, Thekla! be my own brave girl!
See, there's thy loving mother. Thou art in
Thy father's arms.

THEKLA (standing up).
Where is he? Is he gone?

DUCHESS.
Who gone, my daughter?

THEKLA.
He--the man who uttered
That word of misery.

DUCHESS.
Oh, think not of it!
My Thekla!

WALLENSTEIN.
Give her sorrow leave to talk!
Let her complain--mingle your tears with hers,
For she hath suffered a deep anguish; but
She'll rise superior to it, for my Thekla
Hath all her father's unsubdued heart.

THEKLA.
I am not ill. See, I have power to stand.
Why does my mother weep? Have I alarmed her?
It is gone by--I recollect myself.
[She casts her eyes round the room, as seeking some one.
Where is he? Please you, do not hide him from me.
You see I have strength enough: now I will hear him.

DUCHESS.
No; never shall this messenger of evil
Enter again into thy presence, Thekla!

THEKLA.
My father----

WALLENSTEIN.
Dearest daughter!

THEKLA.
I'm not weak.
Shortly I shall be quite myself again.
You'll grant me one request?

WALLENSTEIN.
Name it, my daughter.

THEKLA.
Permit the stranger to be called to me,
And grant me leave, that by myself I may
Hear his report and question him.

DUCHESS.
No, never!

COUNTESS.
'Tis not advisable--assent not to it.

WALLENSTEIN.
Hush! Wherefore wouldst thou speak with him, my daughter?

THEKLA.
Knowing the whole, I shall be more collected;
I will not be deceived. My mother wishes
Only to spare me. I will not be spared--
The worst is said already: I can hear
Nothing of deeper anguish!

COUNTESS and DUCHESS.
Do it not.

THEKLA.
The horror overpowered me by surprise,
My heart betrayed me in the stranger's presence:
He was a witness of my weakness, yea,
I sank into his arms; and that has shamed me.
I must replace myself in his esteem,
And I must speak with him, perforce, t