But before
Elsa has had time to set foot upon the Minster steps, Ortrud dashes
forward and claims precedence, taunting the hapless bride with ignorance
of her bridegroom's name and rank. Elsa has scarcely time to reply in
passionate vindication of her love, when the King and Lohengrin approach
from the Pallas, the quarters of the knights. Lohengrin soothes the
terror of his bride, and the procession starts once more. Once more it
is interrupted. Telramund appears upon the threshold of the cathedral
and publicly accuses Lohengrin of sorcery. The King, however, will not
harbour a suspicion of his spotless knight. Telramund is thrust aside,
though not before he has had time to whisper fresh doubts and suspicions
to the shuddering Elsa, and the procession files slowly into the
Minster.
A solemn bridal march opens the next act, while the maids of honour
conduct Elsa and Lohengrin to the bridal chamber. There, after a love
scene of enchanting beauty, her doubts break forth once more. 'How is
she to know,' she cries, 'that the swan will not come some day as
mysteriously as before and take her beloved from her arms?' In vain
Lohengrin tries to soothe her; she will not be appeased, and in frenzied
excitement puts to him the fatal question, 'Who art thou?' At that
moment the door is burst open, and Telramund rushes in followed by four
knights with swords drawn.
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