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Show 440 THE CODE OF TERPSICHORE. grief. The youth, supposing them to be some of Silvia's companions, asks of her welfare ; he then wishes to know their opinion, and expresses the force of his affection for the cruel damsel. The two young shepherdesses, sympathizing in his pain, beg of him to place his hopes in Aldegonde. They even advise him to seek out that Sorceress, whose dominion is as great as it is powerful. Alidor revives at this intelligence, he returns thanks to the kind-hearted shepherdesses, and resolves to seek the aid of the sorceress. The two pretended shepherdesses, foreseeing a happy result to their designs, withdraw. Eufrosine's attendant, on retiring, places a dart near the entrance to the dwelling of Aldegonde, and then hastens away to entice Silvia to the spot. S C E N E VI.-Alidor reflects upon the course he is about to pursue, and seems delighted by his illusory hopes. H e prepares to enter the subterranean way, but his progress is suddenly arrested by the noise of footsteps, and a moment after he perceives Silvia approaching, and is charmed at this opportunity of addressing her. S C E N E VII.-Silvia enters hastily and in disorder; she has just escaped the pursuit of a young villager, who endeavours to get possession of the nymph, and to carry her off. The latter arrives and seizes his prey ; Silvia struggles in his grasp, and is nearly exhausted, when Alidor, springing upon the rustic, rescues Silvia from the ravisher and puts him to flight; while Silvia swoons upon the green bank. S C E N E VIII.-Alidor now seems to have obtained his most ardent wishes; fate at last grants him the means of addressing her he adores. He advances towards her, but as yet she has not regained her senses ; he supports her in his arms, yet trembles for the result, expecting a repulse when reason again resumes her sway-he speaks- |