The Baroness Ida lost in Countess Siegendorf?

_Ulr._ Perhaps: my father wishes it, and, sooth, 130
'Tis no bad policy: this union with
The last bud of the rival branch at once
Unites the future and destroys the past.

_Rod._ Adieu.

_Ulr._ Yet hold--we had better keep together
Until the chase begins; then draw thou off,
And do as I have said.

_Rod._ I will. But to
Return--'twas a most kind act in the count
Your father to send up to Konigsberg
For this fair orphan of the Baron, and
To hail her as his daughter.

_Ulr._ Wondrous kind! 140
Especially as little kindness till
Then grew between them.

_Rod._ The late Baron died
Of a fever, did he not?

_Ulr._ How should I know?

_Rod._ I have heard it whispered there was something strange
About his death--and even the place of it
Is scarcely known.

_Ulr._ Some obscure village on
The Saxon or Silesian frontier.

_Rod._ He
Has left no testament--no farewell words?

_Ulr._ I am neither confessor nor notary,
So cannot say.

_Rod._ Ah! here's the lady Ida. 150

_Enter_ IDA STRALENHEIM.

_Ulr._ You are early, my sweet cousin!

_Ida._ Not _too_ early,
Dear Ulric, if I do not interrupt you.
Why do you call me "_Cousin?_"

_Ulr._ (_smiling_). Are we not so?

_Ida._ Yes, but I do not like the name; methinks
It sounds so cold, as if you thought upon
Our pedigree, and only weighed our blood.

_Ulr._ (_starting_). Blood!

_Ida._ Why does yours start from your cheeks?

_Ulr._ Aye! doth it?

_Ida._ It doth--but no! it rushes like a torrent
Even to your brow again.

_Ulr._ (_recovering himself_). And if it fled,
It only was because your presence sent it 160
Back to my heart, which beats for you, sweet Cousin!

_Ida._ "Cousin" again.

_Ulr._ Nay, then, I'll call you sister.

_Ida._ I like that name still worse.--Would we had ne'er
Been aught of kindred!

_Ulr._ (_gloomily_). Would we never had