I surrounded her in the darkness?--the wild
shrieks and howls of madmen in their cells!

I see her there! that brow so calm, so innocent, upon which no harsh
thought ever rests, is sunk and buried in her little hands. Her pure
thoughts wander idly now through space; they rove in search of the
husband who deserted her--and the unfortunate weeps--and is mad! mad!

A VOICE. Poet! thou chant'st a Drama!

THE MAN. Ha! the voice of my evil spirit!

He hurries to the door of the saloon and tears it open.

Haste! saddle my Arabian, and bring me my cloak and pistols!

* * * * *

A hilly country. An asylum for the insane, surrounded by a garden.

THE WIFE OF THE PHYSICIAN. (_She is seen opening a barred door, and
wears a great bunch of keys at her girdle._) Are you a relation of the
countess?

THE MAN. I am a friend of the count's; he sent me here.

THE WIFE OF THE PHYSICIAN. We have indeed but little hope of her
recovery. I am sorry my husband is not at home; he could have explained
the whole case to you. She was brought here in convulsions
yesterday--how very hot it is to-day!

Wiping the perspiration from her face.

We have a great many patients here, but none so ill as the countess.

Only think of it--this asylum costs us two hundred thousand--but you are
growing impatient--tell me, is it true that the Jacobins seized her
husband at midnight, and thus drove her mad?

I beg you....

* * * * *

A room with a grated window. A bed, a chair. The Wife is lying upon
a sofa, supported by pillows.

THE MAN (entering). I wish to be left alone with the countess.

THE WIFE OF THE PHYSICIAN (_without_). My husband will be very angry
if....

THE MAN (_closing the door_). Leave us in peace!

Approaches his wife.

VOICE (_from the ceiling_). You have chained and fettered God himself!
You have already put one God to death on the cross; I am the second, and
you have given me into the hands of the headsman.

VOICE (_under the floor_). Kneel down before the King, your Lord!

VOICE (_from the wall on the left_). The comet tracks its way in fire
across the sky; the day of wrath already breaks--the trump of Judgment
sounds!

THE MAN. Mary--do you know me?

WIFE. I have sworn to be true to you until death.

THE MAN. Give me your hand, Mary. Let us quit this dreadful place!

WIFE. Yes, but I cannot stand up--my soul has le