THEKLA. (endeavouring to hold back the Duchess.)
Dear mother, do stay here!
DUCHESS.
No! Here is yet
Some frightful mystery that is hidden from me.
Why does my sister shun me? Don't I see her
Full of suspense and anguish roam about
From room to room?—Art thou not full of terror?
And what import these silent nods and gestures
Which stealthwise thou exchangest with her?
THEKLA.
Nothing;
Nothing, dear mother!
DUCHESS. (to the Countess.)
Sister, I will know.
COUNTESS.
What boots it now to hide it from her? Sooner
Or later she must learn to hear and bear it.
'Tis not the time now to indulge infirmity,
Courage beseems us now, a heart collect,
And exercise and previous discipline
Of fortitude. One word, and over with it!
Sister, you are deluded. You believe,
The Duke has been depos'd—The Duke is not
Depos'd—he is———
THEKLA. (going to the Countess.)
What? do you wish to kill her?
COUNTESS.
The Duke is———
THEKLA. (Throwing her arms round her mother.)
O stand firm! stand firm, my mother!
COUNTESS.
Revolted is the Duke, he is preparing
To join the enemy, the army leave him,
And all has fail'd.
(During these words the Duchess totters, and
falls in a fainting-fit into the arms of her
daughter. While Thekla is calling for help,
the curtain drops.)