nife in his hand,
by the secret panel, which he closes hurriedly after him_.

_Wer._ (_not at first recognising her_).
Discovered! then I'll stab--(_recognising her_). Ah! Josephine
Why art thou not at rest?

_Jos._ What rest? My God!
What doth this mean?

_Wer._ (_showing a rouleau_).
Here's _gold_--_gold_, Josephine,
Will rescue us from this detested dungeon.

_Jos._ And how obtained?--that knife!

_Wer._ 'Tis bloodless--_yet_.
Away--we must to our chamber.

_Jos._ But whence comest thou? 740

_Wer._ Ask not! but let us think where we shall go--
This--this will make us way--(_showing the gold_)--I'll fit them now.

_Jos._ I dare not think thee guilty of dishonour.

_Wer._ Dishonour!

_Jos._ I have said it.

_Wer._ Let us hence:
'Tis the last night, I trust, that we need pass here.

_Jos._ And not the worst, I hope.

_Wer._ Hope! I make _sure_.
But let us to our chamber.

_Jos._ Yet one question--
What hast thou _done_?

_Wer._ (_fiercely_). Left one thing _undone_, which
Had made all well: let me not think of it!
Away!

_Jos._ Alas that I should doubt of thee! 750
[_Exeunt_.

ACT II.

SCENE I.--_A Hall in the same Palace_.

_Enter_ IDENSTEIN _and Others_.

_Iden._ Fine doings! goodly doings! honest doings!
A Baron pillaged in a Prince's palace!
Where, till this hour, such a sin ne'er was heard of.

_Fritz_. It hardly could, unless the rats despoiled
The mice of a few shreds of tapestry.

_Iden._ Oh! that I e'er should live to see this day!
The honour of our city's gone for ever.

_Fritz_. Well, but now to discover the delinquent:
The Baron is determined not to lose
This sum without a search.

_Iden._ And so am I. 10

_Fritz_. But whom do you suspect?

_Iden._ Suspect! all people
Without--within--above--below--Heaven help me!

_Fritz_. Is there no other entrance to the chamber?