o me! How magical the twilight is! Estelle!
Estelle!

[He lies motionless; music dies away, and there is a long silence. The
forest is dark, with gleams of moonlight. Suddenly there is a faint note
of music... the Nibelung theme. After a silence it is repeated; then
again. Several instruments take it up. It swells louder. Vague forms are
seen flitting here and there. Shadows move.]

GERALD. [Starting up suddenly.] What's that? [Silence; then the note is
heard again, very faint. He starts. It is heard again, and he springs to
his feet.] What's that? [Again and again. He runs to his violin, picks
it up, and stares at it. Still the notes are heard, and he puts down the
violin, and runs down stage, listening.] Why, what can it mean? [As the
music grows louder his perplexity and alarm increase. Suddenly he sees a
figure stealing through the shadows, and he springs back, aghast.]
Why, it's a Nibelung! [Another figure passes.] Oh! I must be dreaming!
[Several more appear.] Nibelungs! Why, it's absurd! Wake up, man!
You're going crazy! [Music swells louder; figures appear, carrying gold
shields, chains, etc., with clatter.] My God!

[He stands with hands clasped to his forehead, while the uproar swells
louder and louder, and the forms become more numerous. He rushes down
stage, and the Nibelungs surround him, dancing about him in wild career,
laughing, screaming, jeering. They begin to pinch his legs behind his
back, and he leaps here and there, crying out. Gradually they drive him
toward the grotto, which opens before them, revealing a black chasm,
emitting clouds of steam. They rush in and are enveloped in the mist.
Sounds of falling and crashing are heard. The steam spreads, gradually
veiling the front of the stage.]

[Nets rise with the steam, giving the effect of a descent. During this
change the orchestra plays the music between Scenes II and III in Das
Rheingold.]

SCENE II

[Nibelheim: a vast rocky cavern. Right centre is a large gold throne,
and to the right of that an entrance through a great tunnel. Entrances
from the sides also. At the left is a large golden vase upon a stand,
and near it lie piles of golden utensils, shields, etc. Left centre is a
heavy iron door, opening into a vault. Throughout this scene there is a
suggestion of music, rising into full orchestra at significant moments.
The voices of the Nibelungs are accompanied by stopped trumpets and
other weird sounds.]

[At rise: The stage i