know I cannot, must not forgive him.

ANHALT. I beseech you then, my Lord, to tell him so yourself. From
your lips he may receive his doom with resignation.

AMELIA. Oh father! See him and take pity on him; his sorrows have
made him frantic.

BARON. Leave the room, Amelia. [on her attempting to speak, he raises
his voice.] Instantly.--[Exit Amelia.

ANHALT. He asked for a private audience: perhaps he has some
confession to make that may relieve his mind, and may be requisite for
you to hear.

BARON. Well, bring him in, and do you wait in the adjoining room, till
our conference is over. I must then, Sir, have a conference with you.

ANHALT. I shall obey your commands. [He goes to door, and re-enters
with Frederick. Anhalt then retires at the same door.]

BARON [haughtily to Frederick]. I know, young man, you plead your
mother's wants in excuse for an act of desperation: but powerful as
this plea might be in palliation of a fault, it cannot extenuate a
crime like yours.

FREDERICK. I have a plea for my conduct even more powerful than a
mother's wants.

BARON. What's that?