ders, they all recoil from him, when
suddenly his friend Rene comes in, and heartily shakes Richard's
outstretched hand. This seems to break the spell, for everybody knows
Rene to be the count's dearest friend, and now believes the oracle to
be false. Nevertheless Ulrica, who only now recognizes the count,
warns him once more against his enemies, but he laughs at her, and
shows the sorceress the verdict of her banishment, which however he has
cancelled. Full of gratitude Ulrica joins in the universal song of
praise, sung by the people to their faithful leader.

The third act opens on the ghostly field where Amelia is to look for
the magic herb. She is frozen with horror believing that she sees a
ghost rise before her; Richard now turns up, and breaks out into
passionate words, entreating her to acknowledge her love for him. She
does so, but implores him at the same time, not to approach her, and to
remain true to his friend. While they speak Rene surprises them. He
has followed Richard to save him from his enemies, who are waiting to
kill him. Richard wraps himself in his friend's cloak, after having
taken Rene's promise to lead the veiled lady to the gates of the town,
without trying to look at her. Rene swears, but fate wills it
otherwise, for {371} hardly has Richard departed, when the conspirators
throng in, and enraged at finding only the friend, try to tear the veil
off the lady's face. Rene guards her with his sword, but Amelia
springing between the assailers lets fall her veil, and reveals her
face to her husband and to the astonished men, thereby bringing shame
and bitter mockery on them both. Rene, believing himself betrayed by
wife and friend, asks the conspirators to meet him in his own house on
the following morning, and swears to avenge the supposed treachery.

In the fourth act in his own house Rene bids his wife prepare herself
for death. He disbelieves in her protest of innocence, but at last,
touched by her misery he allows her to take a last farewell of her son.
When she is gone, he resolves rather to kill the seducer than his poor
weak wife. When the conspirators enter he astonishes them by his
knowledge of their dark designs, but they wonder still more, when he
offers to join them in their evil purpose. As they do not agree, who
it shall be that is to kill Richard, Rene makes his wife draw the lot
from a vase on the table. The chosen one is her own husband.--At this
moment Oscar ente