WORM. Where he would fain not be!     

       LOUISA. Quick, quick, for God's sake! Oh! my foreboding heart! Where is my father!     

       WORM. In prison, if you needs must know!     

       LOUISA (with a look towards heaven). This, too! This, too! In prison, said you? And why in prison?     

       WORM. It is the duke's order.     

       LOUISA. The duke's?     

       WORM. Who thinking his own dignity offended by the insults offered to the person of his representative——     

       LOUISA. How? How? Oh ye Almighty Powers!     

       WORM.——Has resolved to inflict the most exemplary punishment.     

       LOUISA. This was still wanting! This! Yes, in truth. I now feel that my heart does love another besides Ferdinand! That could not be allowed to escape! The prince's dignity offended? Heavenly Providence! Save, oh! save my sinking faith! (After a moment's pause, she turns to WORM.) And Ferdinand?     

       WORM. Must choose between Lady Milford's hand and his father's curse and disinheritance.     

       LOUISA. Terrible choice!—and yet—yet is he the happier of the two. He has no father to lose—and yet to have none is misery enough! My father imprisoned for treason—my Ferdinand compelled to choose between Lady Milford's hand or a parent's curse and disinheritance! Truly admirable! for even villany so perfect is perfection! Perfection? No! something is still wanting to complete that. Where is my mother?     

       WORM. In the house of correction.     

       LOUISA (with a smile of despair). Now the measure is full! It is full, and I am free—released from all duties—all sorrows—all joys! Released even from Providence! I have nothing more to do with it! (A dreadful pause.) Have you aught else to communicate? Speak freely—now I can hear anything with indifference.     

       WORM. All that has happened you already know.     

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