'Tis strange... can it be?...

ANTONIA (drawing him to the clavichord).

Come here as before; Listen, and you'll see if I've lost my voice.

HOFFMAN.

How your eye lights up, your hand trembles.

ANTONIA (making him sit down).

Here, the soft song of love we sang together.

(She sings.)

'Tis a song of love That flies off Sad or joyful, Turn by turn, 'Tis a song of love, The new rose Smiles on the Spring.

Ah! how long will it be That it lives?

TOGETHER.

'Tis a song of love That flies off, etc., etc.

HOFFMAN.

A ray of flame Matches thy beauty.

Will you see the summer?

Flower of the soul.

TOGETHER.

'Tis a song of love, etc., etc.

(Antonia puts her hand to her heart.)

HOFFMAN.

Why, what is the matter?

ANTONIA (doing same again).

Nothing.

HOFFMAN (listening).

Chut.

ANTONIA.

Heavens, my father! Come, come...

(She goes out.)

HOFFMAN.

No! I must know the last word of this mystery.

(He hides. Crespel appears.)

CRESPEL (looking about him).

No, nothing. I thought Hoffman was here.

May he go to the devil!

HOFFMAN (aside).

Many thanks!

FRANTZ (entering).

Sir.

CRESPEL.

What?

FRANTZ.

Doctor Miracle.

CRESPEL.

Infamous scoundrel, Quickly close the door.