Whither, oh, whither would'st thou lead?  

Oh, no; then wherefore fly me yet?

You speak not of me,

who faithful and true,

loves no one but you.

(Alone.)

She leaves me! mocks at my ardent passion! am I then but the sport of an inexplicable being? yet a being so enchanting, that I feel she is become dearer to me than existence.

Heavens! Christie here! I am then discovered.  

(Coming forward.)

So 'tis here I find you at last!

And here I will remain for ever, good, kind, Christie, you will not betray my retreat?

I betray you? That's what I won't, I promise you. Do you think I wish you to come back? Not I, faith; stay and welcome, since you are happy here.

But Jessy ~ poor Jessy! Tell me, does she not execrate me?

Why, at first to be sure, she was a little glummish, but afterwards ~

(significantly)

~ the women ~ you know there was the dame, she was in a fine fury. “What an abomination” cried she, “a vile perjured wretch!” But Godmother, says I, for my part I don't blame Donald.

And yet I have been very guilty.

Oh, don't make yourself uneasy, 'tis a thing happens every day: a man jilts one woman for another because she's richer or handsomer; and your new one, to say the truth, has a sort of beauty that ~ that ~

You have seen her, then?

Yes, through the trees. She's a fine figure of a woman ~ that she is; but ~ but, there's one thing that's queerish, in my mind, she has got wings, eh?

She has.

And don't you find them awkward at times? mayhap you like her the better for the novelty?

Oh, no, those wings drive me to despair. When I would like to retain her near me, they bear her, like lightening, beyond my reach; and yet it is that very grace, that aerial lightness that fascinates my soul.

(Aside.)

Oh, that's the way to fascinate; when I see Jessie I'll fascinate her so! Ah, ah, who know if I were to try but Jessie might ~ yes, I'll try.

When I attempt to seize her hand, and speak to her of my transports, with childish playfulness she vanishes from my sight.

Ah, I see!

You'd squeeze her hand ~ and crack ~ she gone! How a man does feel then, sure enough! You say, stay ~ stay! and off she flies; and the more she wouldn't, the more you would, eh? Well, all I can say, Donald, is ~  

(Turning round.)

~ Eh, Donald ~ Donald, I say! is he flown away too? ~

(Looking about.)

~ and I wanted him to teach me how the siffle ~ hang it! If here ben't Jessie herself; now for a little aerial grace, and ~

(Retires R. H.)

Oh, say that again ~ it makes my heart jump into my mouth!

Yes, yes, you did, though ~ you said ~

(Interrupting her.)

No, no! though to please you, Jessie, I have been looking for him everywhere.

(Aside.)

She pities me! Now to try the seducing ways of the siffle.

(Looks at Jessie.)

(Snatching away hid hand abruptly - Aside.)

It takes already.

(Aside.)

Who would have thought she'd come around so soon?

(Looks at himself with affectation.)

(Seizing her hand, and throwing himself at her feet.)

Dearest Jessie! I'm so glad, my brain is turning! One kiss.

(Aside to Hela.)

It is well ~ I'm so happy! You see I've found the way at last.

Yes, come dear Jessie. Oh, happy me! Oh, lovely Jessie! Oh, fascinating Christie!

What it may be, 'tis no concern of yours.  

Well, then, I am the most miserable of men. I love, I adore, an inexplicable being! I see her, I hear her, but, like an airy vision, she for ever eludes my grasp.

A talisman! is it possible? Oh, give it to me, and all I possess is yours.

Because I was a fool ~ a madman! but I truly repent my conduct.

Good, kind, Hela, how I wronged you!

Thy kindness my gratitude ever insures ~

my fate's in your hands.

'Tis for thee.

Then clip both their wings,

give them me in exchange;

for thy sake I'll love them. Oh, trust to my care,

Let them go! but from me thou like them ne'er shall fly.

She sinks! help! Oh, aid, or my fair one will die!

(In despair.)

Wretch that I am!

(Furiously.)

Accursed sorcerer! Thou hast deceived me! But death shall release me also!

(Rising.)

Who art thou? Ah! why bring back the memory of one I've lost for ever!

What power may release her?

Be death, or worse than death between us, my love will leap the gulf.

Ah! where is the heart that loves Donald?

Ah! I own ~ the simple Christie. And will he befriend a rival?

And the promised power?

And whither?

Haunts of the hated Hela ~ yes, too well I know then.

Hope once more dawns, and see the partner of a fearful task.  

And I'm sure I'm bewitched by Jessie, so I've fellow feeling. How be you , Donald? how be you lad?

(Crosses to Christie, then puts Jessie's lover to R. H.)

All will be well with your assistance, Christie. Dear Jessie take this honest hand from me; pardon, oh, pardon my defection, Jessie, and thank me one day for a better heart than Donald has to offer.

(Apart.)

Eh, but there be a bit of heart in that though.

And aught that Christie can do for Jessie, or for Donald, you'll command.

Dare you go with me to the sulphur well?

Aye, were it to the ~ ~ ~

'Tis to conquer evil.

“Dear Christie” that's twice she has called me so. On with you my lad.

Away! for love and fortune!

Does your heart fail you, or will you still go on?  

Dang it, it is an ugsome place, sure enough. I've a bit of an old horse-shoe granny gave me, against warlocks and witches, and you've got the relic. Eh, bless me! what's that?

Nothing.

That's the very thing ye bid me to be afraid of. There again! What's that?

I heard nothing ~ saw nothing ~

Curse nothing! It's the second time nothing has frightened me.

Think of your marriage with Jessie ~ and then ~

I will do my best. But what place is this?

These are the fearful regions of the salamanders.

Sally who?

The fiends of flame.

Then we shall burn our fingers. But where's the lady?

She comes! Hush! let's observe her.

(Involuntarily.)

The ill-looking scoundrels!

Saved from destruction, though small the recompense for all the woes my love has wrought her. Still it is some, and gives an earnest yet of greater. Should I at last ~  

Eh, lad! let's help her, then to do the work ~ she can't see us.

What devils are these in the form of Maggie MacGrubbins, Tibbey Fowler, Cumner Malkin, and Granny Burns!  

Peace, on your life!

All devils, by my conscience!

I'll give that Tibbie Fowler a rap o'the head!

Hush!

They cannot see us!

Some magic her sense steals away,

her slumber is fearful and deep;

but beside thee thy Donald will stay

and guard his Eolia in sleep.

The demon is foil'd, virtue's pow'rs yet prevail,

and the spells of the fiend shall no longer assail.

She's saved! and Donald on his knee,

in rapture hails the happy day.

When blest, Eolia dear, with thee,

he'll love and laugh thy cares away.