ARGUAIENT OF THE SECOND ACT

In Se. i. de Grignon feeling that he must do something to prove his dévotion to the Countess encounters Montrichard who brings news of a fire on her estate. De Grignon secs in this his opportunity, and in imagination is already returning, after heroic exploits — unharmed — to receive her thanks. But, on learning that heroism is sometimes dangerous, he hésitâtes, and meantime a messenger arrives to say the fire is over. De Grignon feels this is not fair: he was just going to distinguish himself and there wasn't any danger: he won't get such a chance again. — Se. ii. The Countess enters, dreamy, but kind to him, and his hopes revive ; when Charles (Henri) arrives and after a rather excited conversation is followed by Léonie, who quite unconscious of her Aunt's love asks naïvely for her advice how best to please Henri. She answers the question however herself, and goes off to the danee (Se. iii.) at which the Countess is looking on from a distance (Se. iv.) when suddenly there is a ery of soldiers surrounding the castle in search of Henri (Se. v.) — Léonie is in despair : the Countess perfeetly collected (Se. vi. ) and when (Se. vii. ) Montrichard is announeed she ealmly orders Henri to remain. In Se. viii. Montrichard enters and a lively skirmish ensues between him and the Countess, at the end of whieh she leaves Henri to serve him with refreshments. Montrichard is struck with the brilliant idea of bribing Henri to help him — gives him a sovereign in advance and dismisses him (Se. ix.). Alone (Se. x.) he congratulâtes himself on this stroke and reviewing his list of the inhabitants of the castle décides to experiment upon Léonie for information of Henri's whereabouts. In Se. xi. she comes in, and he has almost forced her to betray the secret, when, with great coolness, Henri throws him out for a moment, and Montrichard goes, ordering Henri to guard against his own escape ! In the deepest remorse poor Léonie confesses to Henri her weakness and her love (Se. xii.), when the Countess enters (Se. xiii.) and shews that she is mistress both of herself and of the whole situation (Se. xiv. xv.).