I was startled to realize that the dangerously emotional scenes between Maria Bertram as Agatha and Henry Crawford as Frederick were long-lost-son scenes.
The climactic moment, with directions for the tableau:
Link to complete text.Baron. Nor does mine—And yet there is another task to perform that will require more fortitude, more courage, than this has done! A trial that!—[bursts into tears]—I cannot prevent them—Let me—let me—A few minutes will bring me to myself—Where is Agatha?
Anhalt. I will go, and fetch her. [Exit Anhalt at an upper entrance.]
Baron. Stop! Let me first recover a little. [Walks up and down, sighing bitterly—looks at the door through which Anhalt left the room.] That door she will come from—That was once the dressing-room of my mother—From that door I have seen her come many times—have been delighted with her lovely smiles—How shall I now behold her altered looks! Frederick must be my mediator.—Where is he? Where is my son?—Now I am ready—my heart is prepared to receive her—Haste! haste! Bring her in.
[He looks stedfastly at the door—Anhalt leads on Agatha—The Baron runs and clasps her in his arms—Supported by him, she sinks on a chair which Amelia places in the middle of the stage—The Baron kneels by her side, holding her hand.]
Baron. Agatha, Agatha, do you know this voice?
Agatha. Wildenhaim.
Baron. Can you forgive me?
Agatha. I forgive you. [embracing him].
Frederick [as he enters]. I hear the voice of my mother!—Ha! mother! father!
[Frederick throws himself on his knees by the other side of his mother—She clasps him in her arms.—Amelia is placed on the side of her father attentively viewing Agatha—Anhalt stands on the side of Frederick with his hands gratefully raised to Heaven.]——The curtain slowly drops.
END.
