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(On the rising of the curtain, the Retainers of Count Arnheim are discovered preparing for the chase.)

(At the end of the chorus, Count Arnheim and Florestein enter from chateau (S. E. L.) followed by various neighbouring Nobles, Pages, Huntsmen, etc., and his child, Arline, attended by Buda, etc.)

(The Count, after bowing to his friends, sees Arline, and takes her in his arms.)

(During this, a retainer brings down (R.) a rifle to Florestein, who puts it away from him. Count Arnheim exit into chateau. Nobles and Hunters ascend rocks and exeunt. Arline petitions Buda to let her accompany them, and goes off by a footpath, at side of rocks, with her and Florestein.)

(Enter Thaddeus, breathless and exhausted, in a state of great alarm.)

(At the end of song, a troop of Gipsies, headed by Devilshoof, their leader, suddenly appear (R. H.) and are about to seize and rob Thaddeus, but presuming, by his dress, that he is a soldier, they stop and examine him.)

(In a moment they strip the soldier's dress off Thaddeus, and as they are putting a gipsy's frock, etc., over him, a roll of parchment, with seal attached, falls at the feet of Devilshoof, who seizes it.)

(He snatches and conceals it in his bosom, and has just time to mix himself with the Gipsies, when a body of the emperor's Soldiers enter in pursuit.)

(Exeunt Soldiers up rocks.)

(All exeunt R. - Loud shouts and alarms are heard, which become more and more distinct, when a body of Huntsmen are seen to cross the trees over the rocks, etc. and exeunt by the path where Arline, etc., went off. Alarms continue, when Florestein rushes in, apparently frightened to death.)

(At the end of song, Thaddeus and Peasantry rush in, evincing the greatest state of alarm and terror.)

(He perceives the rifle that Florestein has left on the stage, utters an exclamation, seizes it, runs up the rocks, aims, fires, and instantly rushes off. The discharge of the rifle, and the alarm of the peasantry, bring Count Arnheim and his party to the spot. Devilshoof enters at one side, at the same time watching.)

(All maintain a painful silence, when Thaddeus is seen rushing in, conveying Arline, who is wounded in the arm, and seems faint.)

(Buda goes into the castle with Arline, and Count Arnheim advances to Thaddeus.)

(Here the Nobles all surround the Count and Thaddeus; and Florestein, coming up to him, says ~)

(They all seat themselves at the tables which have previuosly been laid, in the O.P. opposite the Castle. Thaddeus takes his seat at the farther end. Florestein occupying a prominent position. When they are seated, a variety of dances are introduced, during which Buda is seen at one of the windows holding on her knee the child, whose arm is bound up. At the termination of the dancing, the Count rises.)

(Here the guests fill their glasses, rise, and turning toward the statue of the emperor drink, while the Peasantry surround it respectfully. Thaddeus alone keeps his seat, on perceiving which, Florestein goes up to the Count and points it out to him.)

(Goes up to the statue and throws down the glass with the utmost contempt. A general burst of indignation follows. Chorus of guests, rising, drawing their swords, and rushlng toward Thaddeus.)

(Throws Thaddeus a purse of gold.)

(Devilshoof rushes in.)

(Thaddeus who has taken up the purse, and seeing himself and Devilshoof surrounded by the Nobles and Guests, throws the purse at the Count's feet.)

(Devilshoof defending Thaddeus retreats, pressed upon by the Nobles, Guests, etc., when the Count orders a party of his Retainers to divide them, they seize Devilshoof, and take him into the castle.)

(Devilshoof defending Thaddeus retreats, pressed upon by the Nobles, Guests, etc., when the Count orders a party of his retainers to divide them, they seize Devilshoof and take him into the castle.)

(Devilshoof is dragged off into the castle, the Count, Nobles, etc., reseat themselves, when other dances are introduced, and the festival contiues; Buda is seen to leave the window at which she has been seated with Arline, and she enters and converses with the Count. In the midst of the most joyous movements of the dance Devilshoof is seen descending from the roof of the castle until he reaches the window of Arline's chamber, into which he is seen to enter, and to shut it immediately. Buda then enters the castle, and in a minute afterward the festivities are interrupted by a violent shrieking, the window is thrown open, and Buda, pale, and with dishevelled hair, signifies by gestures that Arline has disappeared.)

(Count and Nobles dash into the castle, a general movement of all - some are seen at the window of Arline's chamber, signifying that she is gone.)

(The Count rushes from the castle, dragging Buda and followed by Nobles. Buda, trembling, falls on her knees.)

(During the prayer, Devilshoof is seen climbing up the rocks with Arline in his arms.)

(At the most animated part of the chorus, bodies of Gentry, Retainers, Servants, etc., are seen rushing toward the rocks, and over every part, in pursuit of Devilshoof who perceiving his situation, knocks away, the moment he has crossed it, the trunk of the tree, which serves as a bridge between the two rocks, and thus bars their passage. Count Arnheim in his distraction is about to throw himself into the gulph - he is held back by attendants into whose arms he falls senseless. Some are in attitude of prayer - others menace Devilshoof, who folding Arline in his large cloack, disappears in the depths of the forest.)

(Note. - Twelve years are supposed to elapse between the first and second act.)

(The Gipsies all draw their daggers, and appear delighted.)

(As the gipsies retire up the stage, Florestein staggers out of the hotel - he is elegantly dressed with chain, rings, etc., and a rich medallion round his neck.)

(The Gipsies have by this time advanced and Devilshoof goes politely up to Florestein.)

(Taking from Florestein his rings, chain, and the rich medallion.)

(Florestein draws his sword.)

(At a sign from Devilshoof the Gipsies instantly surround Florestein, and take every valuable from him.)

(During the chorus, Devilshoof makes off with the medallion, and the others are dividing the rest of the spoil, when a female appears in the midst of them, drops her cloak, and discovers their Queen. The Gipsies appear stupefied.)

(The Gipsies return the different things to Florestein.)

(At a sign from the Queen, who seems to command its restitution)

(Exeunt Queen holding Florestein all of a tremble, in one hand, and beckoning the Gipsies to follow with the other. As soon as they have gone off, Arline who has been awakened by the noise comes, from the tent, followed by Thaddeus.)

(At the end of the ballad, Thaddeus presses Arline to his heart.)

(At the end of the duet, Thaddeus throws himself, in an ecstasy, at the feet of Arline, and is bathing her hand with kisses, when the back curtains of the tent are withdrawn, and the Queen appears, pale and trembling with passion.She advances toward Arline, and pointing to Thaddeus -)

(Thaddeus, who has been anxiously watching the two, here runs and embraces Arline. She surveys the Queen with an air of triumph.)

(The Queen is standing in the center, while Thaddeus calls the Gipsies together, who enter on all sides and surround the Queen, and appear to ask what is going on.)

(During this scene the stage has been growing somewhat lighter.)

(Gipsy enters.)

(Exeunt Thaddeus and Arline hand in hand, followed by the other Gipsies repeating chorus.)

(Exeunt the Queen and Devilshoof at separate sides.)

(At the end of the chorus, and during the symphony, a movement is perceived at the further end of the place, which is followed by the entrance of a double party of men Gipsies, headed by Devilshoof and Thaddeus who force a passage down the center of the stage, which they occupy; they then open their ranks, when another file of female Gipsies headed by their Queen and Arline, pass down them. Florestein and a party are seen watching them with great curiosity.)

(During this, some of the Gipsies have been enacting characteristic dances, when Arline carrying a flower basket in her hand, glides round to the assembled company and sings.)

(At the end of the dance and chorus Count Arnheim and some Officers of state enter; his hair has become grey, his step is slow, and his appearance is that of sorrow. He is accosted by Florestein.)

(He gazes attentively at Arline, sighs heavily, then exits with his retinue into the Hall of Justice.)

(Here Arline gives him a violent slap on the face; the Queen, who has gone up the stage with Thaddeus, now brings him on one side and points out the situation of Arline and Florestein, he is about to rush upon Florestein just as Arline has slapped his face; on receiving it, he turns round and finds himself between the two, and both are laughing in his face.)

(Chorus and dance repeated, and the Gipsies are all about to march off. Thaddeus and Arline bringing up the rear of their body; and as they are going off Florestein, who with his friends has been watching their departure, perceives his medallion on the neck of Arline - he breaks through the crowd and stops her - she and Thaddeus come forward.)

(Here Devilshoof is seen to steal off.)

(Arline runs about looking everywhere for the Queen.)

(Florestein who has during this movement entered the Hall of Justice, is now seen returning, followed by a strong Guard who file off on each side of the steps.)

(Arline looks at him with great contempt; the Gipsies perceiving her danger range themselves around her. Thaddeus breaks from those who are holding him, and rushes up to her. Florestein has got behind the Captain of the guard, who gives orders for his body to seize Arline, upon which the Gipsies draw their daggers, a conflict ensues in which the Guard maintains possession of Arline, a body of the populace reseige Thaddeus, and the Gipsies are routed.)

(Arline is conducted by a file of the guard, led by the Captain, and preceded by Florestein and his party into the Hall of Justice, the people follow in a mass, while Thaddeus is detained by those who first seized him, and as Arline is going up the steps, the figure of the Queen is seen, in an attitude of triumph over her rival's fall.)

(Count Arnheim enters thoughtful and dejected; he contemplates Arline's portrait, and wipes the tears from his eye.)

(At the end of the song, a confused noise is heard outside, when the Captain of the guard enters.)

(Seats himself, when the doors are violently opened, and a mob of Citizens, Guards and Gentry enter. Florestein, who is in the midst of them, instantly rushes up to the Count.)

(Pointing to Arline standing in the centre, pale and with dishevelled hair, but still haughty in her demeanour.)

(She draws a dagger from beneath her scarf, and is about to stab herself, when Count Arnheim rushes forward, seizes her arm, and wrests the dagger from her.)

(Here a tumult is heard and Thaddeus, having escaped from those who confined him, breaks into the room, and rushes into the arms of Arline. The Count, on seeing him, reels back. General excitement prevails.)

(Count clasps Arline to his heart - kisses her head, hands, hair, and shedding tears of joy.)

(Arline staggers, and then rushes into the Count's arms.)

(Enter Arline, elegantly dressed for a ball.)

(Count Arnheim enters with Florestein - Arline runs into his arms.)

(Enter A servant.)

(Servant crosses to the Count.)

(Exeunt Count and Florestein.)

(As she is contemplating the dress, the window at the back suddenly opens, and Devilshoof springs into the apartment.)

(Here Thaddeus appears at the window; enters the room, and Arline, unable to restrain her feelings, rushes into his arms.)

(Devilshoof goes up to the window, on the lookout.)

(At the end of the song, Arline goes up to Thaddeus, and with great emphasis says -)

(Thaddeus has barely time to take refuge in the cabinet, and Devilshoof to escape by the window, when the great doors are thrown open, and a brilliant assemblage enters, led by Count Arnheim, Florestein, etc. The Count takes Arline's hand and presents her to the company.)

(A female, closely veiled, enters the apartment and goes up to Count Arnheim.)

(She lets her veil fall, and is discovered to be the Queen of the Gipsies.)

(Count rushing to the door of the cabinet, which Arline in vain opposes.)

(The Count pushes Arline aside, opens the door and Thaddeus appears - the Count reels back, and everyone seems panic struck.)

(As the Queen is dragging Thaddeus toward the window, Arline stops him.)

(Exeunt every one at the large doors each side of the windows which close upon them; the Queen is seen to pass out of the window.)

(During the trio, the wan figure of the Queen has been seen at the window in the back, and at the end of it, as Thaddeus is about to embrace Arline, the Queen, in a transport of rage, points him out to A gipsy by her side, who is in the act of firing at him, when Devilshoof, who has tracked their steps, averts the gipsy's aim, and by a rapid movement turns the musket toward the Queen - it goes off, and she falls.)

(This distant sound of joyous instruments heard in the saloons, which the intelligence of the catastrophe is supposed to have reached, ceases, and crowds of Nobles, Ladies, Guests, etc., pour in at each door. Arline rushes into the arms of Thaddeus, and then passes over to the Count.)

(As the courtain descends, is heard under the window at the back)