Chapter V: Act THE FOURTH: Scene I

_ALSCRIP's Room._

_CHIGNON alone._

_Chignon._ Que diable veut dire tout ca----vat devil, all dis mean?--Monsieur Alscrip enrage----Mademoiselle Alscrip fly about like de dancing fury at de Opera----My littel musicienne, shut up, and in de absence of madame, I keep de key of de littel bastille----By gad, I vou'd rader have de custody of my pretty prisoniere than the whole college of cardinals----but vat have we here?

_Enter SIR CLEMENT and CLIFFORD._

_Sir C._ [_Speaking to a SERVANT._] Mr. Alscrip not at home, no matter we'll wait his return----The French valet de chambre [_To CLIFFORD._]--It may be of use to make acquaintance with him--Monsieur, how do you like this country?

_Chignon._ Ver good contree, sire, by and bye--when you grow a little more poor.

_Sir C._ Is that a Parisian rule for improvement?

_Chignon._ Yes, sir, and we help you to follow our example--In good times you hang, and you drown--In bad time you will be like us.--Alway poor--alway gay--forget your politics--laugh at your grievances--take your snuff, vive la dissipation,--ver good country.

_Sir C._ Thanks for your kind advice, monsieur, you Frenchmen are so obliging, and so communicative to strangers----I hear there is a young lady come into this family--we don't exactly know in what capacity--could not you contrive that she should pass through this room--or--

_Chignon._ [_Aside._] By gar here be one more old rake after de littel musicienne.

_Sir C._ Only for curiosity,--we never saw her, and have particular reasons--

[_Gives Money._

_Chignon._ Ma foi, your reasons be ver expressive--[_Aside._]--but vat devil shall I do--open the cage of my little Rosignol--my pretty nightingale--no. Chignon--no--[_Looking out._] ah, hah; La Tiffany----Now for de politique----be-gar I undertake your business--and make you de dupe of de performance.

[_Exit with a sign to SIR CLEMENT._

_Sir C._ So--Clifford--There goes as disinterested a fellow now as any in Europe. But hark you--Can you yet guess the purpose for which I brought you here?

_Cliff._ I profess, sir, I am in the dark. If it concerns Lord Gayville's secret.

_Sir C._ Namely, that this dulcinea has started up in the shape of Miss Alscrip's musical companion--Her name is Alton. [_Leering._] I tell it you, because I am sure you are not acquainted with it.

_Cliff._ Sir, you will not know me.--

_Sir C._ Tut, tut, don't do me such injustice----Come, all delicacy being over, by my having made the discovery, will you talk to this girl?

_Cliff._ For what end, sir?

_Sir C._ If you state yourself as Lord Gayville's friend, she will converse with you more readily, than she would with me--Try her--find out what she is really at. If she has no hold upon him but her person, I shall be easy.

_Cliff._ Sir, let my compliance convince you how much I wish to oblige you. If I can get a sight of this wonder, I promise to give you my faithful opinion of my friend's danger.

_Enter CHIGNON, and makes a sign to SIR CLEMENT, that the Person he inquired after is coming._

_Sir C._ Leave her with this gentleman----Come, monsieur, you shall show me the new room.

[_Exit._

_Chignon._ [_Aside._] Vid dis gentleman--Vid all my heart--La Tiffany vill answer his purpose, and mine too.

[_Exit._

[_CLIFFORD is looking at the Furniture of the Room._

_Enter TIFFANY._

_Tiff._ What does the Frenchman mean by gentlemen wanting me, and his gibberish of making soft eyes----I hope I know the exercise of my eyes without his instruction--hah! I vow, a clever looking man.

_Cliff._ 'Faith, a pretty attracting countenance--but for that apprehensive and timid look--that awe impressing modesty, my friend so forcibly described. [_TIFFANY adjusts herself, and pulls up._]--[_Aside._] Her silence marks diffidence; deuce take me if I know how to begin, for fear of offending her reserve.

_Tiff._ [_Aside._] I have been told pertness became me--I'll try, I'm resolved. [_To him._] I hear, sir, you had something to say to a young person in this house--that--that--[_Looking down at the same time archly._] I could not but take the description to myself--I am ready to hear any thing a gentleman has to say.

_Cliff._ [_Aside._] Thank my stars, my scruples are relieved!

_Tiff._ Am I mistaken, sir? Pray, whom was you inquiring after?

_Cliff._ Oh! certainly you, my pretty stranger. A friend of mine has been robbed of his heart, and I see the felony in your looks. Will you confess, or must I arrest you?

_Tiff._ Innocent, sir, in fact, but not quite so in inclination--I hope your own is safe?

_Cliff._ And were it not, my smart unconscionable, would you run away with that also?

_Tiff._ Oh, yes, and a hundred more; and melt them all down together, as the Jews do stolen goods, to prevent their being reclaimed.

_Cliff._ [_Aside._] Astonishing! Have I hit upon the moment when her fancy outruns her art! But are you really the young lady, that's admitted into this family, as companion to Miss Alscrip?

_Tiff._ Sir, if you mean the young lady, who, however undeservingly, is flatteringly called the flower of this family--who sometimes extracts notice from these windows; and to be sure has been followed home by gentlemen against her inclinations--sir, you are not mistaken.

_Cliff._ [_Aside._] Sure it has been Gayville's madness or amusement then to describe her by contraries.

_Tiff._ I hope, sir, you are not offended? I would not be impertinent, though I am not so tasteless as to be shy.

_Cliff._ Offended, my dear? I am quite charmed, I assure you. And so without further shyness on either part, let us be free upon the subject I had to talk over with you. You surely are not looking to lasting connexions?

_Tiff._ [_With airs._] Sir, I don't understand you--I am not what you suppose, I assure you--Connexions indeed--I should never have thought of that--my character--my behaviour; connexions, I don't know what the word signifies.

_Sir C._ [_Without._] Clifford--are you ready?

_Cliff._ I am at your orders, sir.

_Tiff._ [_Aside._] Deuce take this interruption!

_Sir Clement._ [_Without._] I shall not wait for Mr. Alscrip any longer.

_Tiff._ [_Aside._] Lud, lud, he, gives me no time to come round again. [_Runs up to him confusedly._] It's very true, sir, I would not do such a thing for the world, but you are a man of honour, and I am sure would not give bad advice to a poor girl who is but a novice--and so, sir, [_Hears SIR CLEMENT entering._] put your proposal in writing, and you may depend on having an answer.

[_Runs out._

_Enter SIR CLEMENT._

_Sir C._ Well, Clifford, what do you think of her?

_Cliff._ Make yourself perfectly easy, sir: This girl, when known, can make no impression on Lord Gayville's mind; and I doubt not but a silk-gown and a lottery-ticket, had they been offered as an ultimatum, would have purchased her person.

_Sir C._ [_With a dry sneer._] Don't you sometimes Clifford, form erroneous opinions of people's pretensions? Interest and foolish passion inspire strange notions--as one or the other prevails, we are brought to look so low, or so high--

_Cliff._ [_With emotion._] That we are compelled to call reason and honour to our aid----

_Sir C._ And then----

_Cliff._ We lose the intemperance of our inclinations in the sense of what is right.

_Sir C._ [_Aside._] Sententious impostor!--[_To him._] But to the point.

_Cliff._ Sir, I would please you if I could--I am thinking of a scheme to restore Lord Gayville to his senses, without violence or injury to any one of the parties.

_Sir C._ Let me hear it.

_Cliff._ Why, the wench being cut short of marketing by word of mouth, desired me to write proposals. I am inclined to do so. We will show the answer to Lord Gayville, and, depend upon it, there will be character enough displayed to cure him of the sentimental part of his attachment.

_Sir. C._ I like your idea--Sit down, and put it into execution immediately----[_CLIFFORD writes._]----[_To himself._] He is quick at invention--has a pretty turn at profession--A proud and peremptory show of honour would overpower prejudices. Thank Heaven, my opinions of knavery are convictions!

_Cliff._ [_Writing._] I am sorry to detain you, sir.

_Sir C._ [_Looking at the Furniture._] Oh! I am amusing myself better than you think--Indulging an edifying contemplation among the tombs of departed estates--[_Looking round the Furniture, viz. Closets, that show old Writings, tied up; Shelves with Boxes, labelled Mortgages, Lease and Release, &c._] What mouldered skins, that will never see day-light again, and that, with a good herald, would vie with Westminster Abbey in holiday entertainment. For instance, now, what have we here?--Hah! The last remains of Fatland Priory--Once of great monastic importance: A proverb of pride, sloth, and hypocrisy. After the Reformation, the seat of old English hospitality and benevolence--In the present century, altered, adorned, pulled down, and the materials sold by auction.

_Cliff._ Edifying, indeed, sir; your comments are not lost.

_Sir C._ Here lie, undisturbed, in dust, the relics of Court Baron Castle, granted, at the Conquest, to the family of Loftimount. The last of this ancient race, having won twenty-seven king's plates, and represented the county in six parliaments, after many struggles, died of the pistol fever. A disconsolate annuitant inscribed this box to his memory.--Well, Clifford, have you done?

_Cliff._ Yes, sir.

[_Reads, as if to himself._

_You have captivated a young man of rank and fortune, but you are discovered, and his ruin and yours would be the consequence of pursuing any designs, that could impede his proposed marriage with Miss Alscrip.--Throw yourself upon the generosity of his family, and your fortune's made.--Send your answer (and let it be immediate) to me, at Sir Clement Flint's house._

_Yours, &c. &c._
HENRY CLIFFORD.

[_CLIFFORD folds the Letter._

_Sir C._ Our French friend is the man to deliver it, and to bring the answer. I am going home; you'll overtake me.

[_Exit._

_Enter CHIGNON._

_Cliff._ [_Sealing the Letter._] You come apropos, monsieur. [_Gives the Letter with an Air of Mystery._] Have the goodness to put this letter into Miss Alton's own hands.

_Chignon._ [_To himself._] Mademoiselle Alton! Peste! My trick has not passed.

_Cliff._ To Miss Alton by herself--I am in all the secret.

_Chignon._ [_To himself._] Devil take Tiffany, for making you so wise.

_Cliff._ And you serve your lady, when you serve me with Miss Alton--Monsieur, an answer as quick as possible--You will find me at Sir Clement Flint's--it is only in the next street--and--you understand me--[_Shaking his Purse._]--Alerte, monsieur.

[_Exit._

_Chignon._ Understand you!--Oui da! you talk de language universal. [_Imitating his shaking the Purse._] J'entre vois, I begin to see something--By gad, I vill give de letter, ami try de inclination of Mademoiselle la Musicienne--if dis be de duette she vill play, it take her out of the vay of Alscrip, of Gayville, and of myself also--Voila le malheur--there--de misfortune--eh bien--when love and interest come across--alway prefer de interest for to-day, and take de chance of de love to-morrow--dat is de humour of France.

[_Exit._

SCENE II.

_SIR CLEMENT FLINT's House._

_Enter LORD GAYVILLE and SIR CLEMENT._

_Lord G._ I am resolved to see Miss Alscrip no more.

_Sir C._ And I hope you are prepared with arguments to justify the cause of this breach, to me, and to the world.

_Lord G._ For my reconciliation with you, I hope your former partiality will return to my aid; and as for the world, I despise it. The multitude look at happiness through the false glare of wealth and pomp: I have discovered it, though yet at a distance, through the only true medium, that of mutual affection.

_Sir C._ No common place book, formed from a whole library of plays and novels, could furnish a better sentence. Your folly would shame a school-boy--even of the last age--In the present, he learns the world with his grammar, and gets a just notion of the worthlessness of the other sex, before he is of an age to be duped by their attractions.

_Lord G._ Sir, your prejudices----

_Sir C._ My prejudices?--will you appeal to Clifford--here he comes--your friend--your other self.

_Enter CLIFFORD._

_Lord G._ And will Clifford condemn the choice of the heart?

_Cliff._ Never, my lord, when justly placed--In the case I perceive you are arguing, I am ready to blush for you--nay, don't look grave--I am acquainted with your enchantress.

_Lord G._ You acquainted with her?

_Cliff._ Yes; and, if I don't deceive myself, shall make her break her own spell. I am in correspondence with her.

_Lord G._ You in correspondence with Miss Alton!--when? where? What am I to think of this?

_Cliff._ My dear lord, that she is the most arrant coquette, the most accomplished jilt, the most ready trafficker of her charms----

_Lord G._ Phrensy and profanation!

_Sir C._ Come, Gayville, I'll be plain with you; you have sillily let the girl raise her price upon you--but, if nothing else will satisfy you, e'en pay it, and have done with her.

_Lord G._ Sir, her price is an unadulterated heart: I am afraid we cannot pay it betwixt us.

_Enter CHIGNON; he delivers a Letter to CLIFFORD, apart._

_Chignon._ Alerte, monsieur, I repete your word--Mademoiselle Alton be all your own.

_Sir C._ Come, Clifford, the contents: his lordship braves the trial.

_Lord G._ What is this mighty scheme! and what is that paper to discover?

_Cliff._ [_Breaking open the Letter._] Your lordship shall be informed word for word. [_Upon first sight of the Contents he shows the utmost emotion._] Amazement! do I dream! can it be? who wrote this letter?

_Sir C._ Oh! speak out, monsieur, we are all friends.

_Chignon._ De true Mademoiselle Alton, whom you charge me to give your letter--she open it--she turn pale--den red--den confuse--den kiss your name--den write, and bid me fly.

_Lord G._ Confusion on confusion, what does all this mean? explain.

_Cliff._ You must pardon me, I am disconcerted--confounded--thunderstruck --This letter is indeed of a different nature, from that I expected--I am more interested in Miss Alton's fate than your lordship--my perplexity is not to be endured; friend, come with me instantly.

[_Exeunt CLIFFORD and CHIGNON._

_Lord G._ Mystery and torture! what am I to collect from this? He interested in the fate of Miss Alton? he her former acquaintance?

_Sir C._ Why not--and her dupe also?

_Enter a SERVANT._

_Serv._ Is Mr. Clifford gone, sir?

_Lord G._ [_Impatiently._] Who wants him?

_Serv._ A chairman with a letter, he will not deliver to a servant.

_Sir C._ Call the fellow in. [_Exit SERVANT._] Who knows but he may help us in our difficulties?

_CHAIRMAN brought in, with a Letter in his Hand._

_Lord G._ [_Still impatiently._] Whom did you bring that letter from?

_Chairman._ Please your honour, I don't know; passing through the square, a sash flew up, and down came this letter and half a crown upon my head. It could not have fallen better, there's not a fellow in town more handy than I am, nor, though I say it more cute at private business--So I resolved to deliver it safely--Is your honour's name Clifford?

_Lord G._ No, indeed, friend, I am not so happy a man.

_Sir C._ [_Aside._] That letter must not be lost though. Here, my friend--I'll take charge of your letter. [_Takes the Letter._] Something for your pains.

_Chairman._ God bless your honour, and if you want to send an answer, my number is forty-seven in Bond Street--your honour, I am known by the name of secret Tom.

[_Exit._

_Lord G._ What is the use of this deceit? strong as my suspicion is, a seal must be sacred.

_Sir C._ Our circumstances make an exception to your rule: when there is treason in the state, wax gives way. [_Takes the Letter, opens and reads it._] 'Faith, this is beyond my expectation--though the mystery is unfathomable, the aptness of it to my purpose is admirable--Gayville--I wish you joy.

_Lord G._ Of what?

_Sir C._ Of conviction! if this is not plain! only hear. [_Reads._] _Since my confused lines of a few minutes past, my perplexities redouble upon my spirits--I am in momentary apprehension of farther insult from the Alscrip family; I am still more anxious to avoid Lord Gayville,_ [Pauses and looks at LORD GAYVILLE.] _do not suspect my sincerity--I have not a thought of him that ought to disturb you._--Here she is, Gayville, look at her, through the true medium of mutual affection--_I have not a thought of him that might to disturb you--Fly to me, secure me, my dearest Henry._

_Lord G._ Dearest Henry!

_Sir C._ [Reads on.] _Dearest Henry--In this call, the danger of your Harriet unites with the impatience of her affection._

_Lord G._ Hell, and fury! this must be some trick, some forgery. [_Snatches the Letter._]--No, by all that's perfidious, it is that exquisite hand, that baffles imitation.

_Sir C._ All, regular, strict, undeviating modern morals--common property is the first principle of friendship; your horse, your house, your purse, your mistress--nay, your wife, would be a better example still of the doctrine of this generous age. Bless fortune, Gayville, that has brought the fidelity of your friend and your girl to the test at the same time.

_Lord G._ Sir, I am not in a humour for any spleen but my own. What can this mean? It must have been a secret attachment for years--but then the avowal of a correspondence, and the confusion at receiving it--his coldness in traducing her; the passionate interest he expressed in her fate; the conviction of his second letter--It is all delirium. I'll search the matter to the bottom, though I go to Clifford's heart for it.

[_Exit in great anger._

_Sir C._ I'll after the precious fellow too--He is a rogue above my hopes, and the intricacy of his snares excite my curiosity.

[_Exit._

SCENE III.

_LADY EMILY's Apartment._

_LADY EMILY discovered, reading._

_Lady E._ It will not do. My eyes may run over a thousand subjects, but my thoughts centre in one. Ah! that sigh! that sigh from the fair sufferer this morning----I have found it echo in my own heart ever since.

_Enter SERVANT._

_Serv._ Madam, Mr. Blandish.

_Lady E._ Pooh! did you say I was at home?

_Serv._ Your ladyship gave no orders to the contrary.

_Lady E._ Show him in. [_Exit SERVANT._] I must take up my air of levity again--It is the only humour for a fellow who I sometimes allow to entertain me, but who can never get my esteem. I have more calls upon my affectation this unlucky day, than my real disposition would execute in a long life.

_Enter BLANDISH._

_Lady E._ Blandish, I am horridly peevish; have you any thing new to divert me?

_Blandish._ If you ask me for news, the latest is, that Clifford has been detected in a clandestine intercourse with the object of Lord Gayville's secret passion; that he has betrayed the confidence of his friend and patron, and actually carried her off. [_Aside._] Which, Gayville knows by this time, with all its aggravations, or Prompt has not been as active as he used to be.

_Lady E._ [_With Emotion._] Blandish, this is a poor project. Clifford treacherous to his friend? You might as soon make me believe Gayville dispassionate, my uncle charitable, or you ingenuous.

_Blandish._ His conduct does not rest upon opinion, but proof; and when you know it, you must think of him with aversion.

_Lady E._ Must I? Then don't let me hear a word more--I have aversions enough already--

[_Peevishly._

_Blandish._ It is impossible you can apply that word to one whose only offence is to adore you.

[_Kisses her Hand._

_Enter CLIFFORD._

_Cliff._ [_Aside, surprised._] Blandish so favoured?

_Lady E._ [_Aside._] Perverse accident: what mistakes now will he make!

_Blandish._ [_Aside._] The enemy has surprised me--but the only remedy in such emergences, is to show a good countenance.

_Cliff._ I fear I have been guilty of an unpardonable intrusion.

_Blandish._ Mr. Clifford never can intrude; but though you had not come so apropos yourself--Lady Emily will bear testimony, I have not spared my pains to remove any prejudices she might have entertained.

_Lady E._ Had you not better repeat in your own words, Mr. Blandish, all the obliging things you have said of this gentleman?

_Cliff._ It is not necessary, madam--if without robbing you of moments that I perceive are precious--

_Lady E._ Sir?

_Cliff._ I might obtain a short audience--

[_Looking at BLANDISH._

_Blandish._ [_Aside._] He's devilish impudent--but he cannot soon get over facts, and I'll take care the conference shall not be long. [_To LADY EMILY._]--Lady Emily; hear Mr. Clifford, and judge if I have misrepresented him--[_To CLIFFORD._] When you want a friend, you know where to find him.

[_Exit._

_Lady E._ This is an interview, Mr. Clifford, that I desire not to be understood to have authorized. It is not to me, you are accountable for your actions--I have no personal interest in them.

_Cliff._ I know it well.

_Lady E._ [_Peevishly._] Do not run away with the notion neither, that I am therefore interested in any other person's--You have among you vexed and disconcerted me, but there is not a grain of partiality in all my embarrassment--if you have any eyes, you may see there is not.

_Cliff._ Happy Blandish! your triumph is evident.

_Lady E._ Blandish, the odious creature--He is my abhorrence--You are hardly worse yourself in my bad opinion, though you have done so much more to deserve it.

_Cliff._ How cruel are the circumstances that compel me to leave you under these impressions!--nay--more--at such a time to urge a request, that during your most favourable thoughts of me would have appeared strange if not presumptuous.--This is the key of my apartment. It contains a secret that the exigency of the hour obliged me, against inclination or propriety, to lodge there. Should Sir Clement return before me, I implore you to prevent his discovery, and give to what you find within, your confidence and protection. Lord Gayville--but I shall go too far--the most anxious event of my life presses on me. I conjure you to comply, by all the compassion and tenderness nature has treasured in your heart--not for me--but for occasions worthy their display. Pray take it.

[_Gives the Key, which she receives with some reluctance and exit._

_Lady E._ Heigho!--It's well, he's gone without insisting on my answer: I was in a sad flutter of indecision. What mysterious means he takes to engage me in a confidence which I could not directly accept!--I am to find a letter, I suppose--the story of his heart--Its errors and defence--My brother's name, also--to furnish me with a new interest in the secret, and one I might avow--One may dislike this art, but must be sensible of his delicacy----Ah, when these two qualities unite in a man, I am afraid he is an overmatch for the wisest of us--Hark!--sure that is the sound of my uncle's coach--[_Looks out of the Window._] 'Tis he--and now for the secret--Curiosity! innate irresistible principle in womankind, be my excuse, before I dare question my mind upon other motives.

[_Exit._

SCENE IV.

_Another Apartment._

_Enter LADY EMILY._

_Lady E._ Oh, lud! I could hardly tremble more at opening this man's apartment, were there a possibility of finding him within side. How do people find courage to do a wrong thing, when an innocent discovery cannot be prosecuted without such timidity?

[_Approaches the Door timidly, and unlocks it._

_Enter MISS ALTON._

Amazement! Miss Alton! what is all this?

_Miss Alton._ Madam, I was brought here, for an hour's concealment; who I really am, I would not, if possible to avoid it, divulge in this house. When you saw me last, you honoured me with a favourable opinion--My story, not explained at full, might subject me to doubts, that would shake your candour.

_Lady E._ What shall I do?--She is pale, and ready to faint--I cannot let her be exposed in such a situation.--Retire--you may rely upon me for present security--You know best your pretensions to my future opinion.--[_Hearing SIR CLEMENT._]--Begone, or you are discovered.

[_Shuts her in, and locks CLIFFORD's Door._

_Enter SIR CLEMENT._

_Sir C._ Oh, the triumph of honour! Oh, the sincerity of friendship! How my opinions are ratified--how my system is proved!

_Lady E._ Oh, spirits, spirits, forsake me not!--Oh, for a moment's dissimulation!

_Sir C._ There are some, now, who would feed moroseness and misanthropy with such events: to me they give delight, as convictions and warnings to mankind.

_Lady E._ Of how superior a quality, my good uncle, must be the benevolence you possess! it rises with the progress of mischief; and is gratified (upon principles of general good) by finding confidence abused, and esteem misplaced. Am I not right in attributing your joy at present to that sort of refinement?

_Sir C._ Hah! and to what sensations, my good niece, shall be attributed the present state of your spirits? To the disgust you took to Clifford almost at first sight. It will not be with indifference, but pleasure, you will hear of his turning out the veriest rascal, the most complete impostor, the most abandoned--but hold, hold!--I must not wrong him by superlatives--he is matched too.

_Lady E._ Really!--I congratulate you upon such a check of charity.

_Sir C._ And I wish you joy, my pretty pert one, upon the credit your sex has acquired, in producing this other chef-d'oeuvre--such a composition of the highest vices and the lowest--But your goodnature will, I dare say, easily find palliatives for both parties.

_Lady E._ Come, sir; no more of your sarcasms. I can treat wrong actions with levity, and yet consider them with detestation. Prudes and pretenders condemn with austerity. To the collection of suspicions you are master of, let me add one--In a young lady, of the delicacy and age you have described, always suspect the virtue that does not wear a smile.

_Sir C._ And the sincerity that wears one awkwardly.

_Enter PROMPT, hastily._

_Prompt._ Joy to your honour; I see you have caught her.

_Sir C._ Her!--whom?

_Prompt._ [_LADY EMILY turning._] I ask your ladyship's pardon--Having only the glimpse of a petticoat, and knowing the object of my chase was in this house, I confess I mistook you.

_Sir C._ In this house?

_Prompt._ As sure as we are--She came in through the garden, under Mr. Clifford's arm--up the other stairs, I suppose.--If my lady had been hereabouts, she must have seen her.

_Lady E._ [_In confusion._] Yes; but, unluckily, I was quite out of the way.

_Sir C._ Such audaciousness passes credibility.--Emily, what do you think of him?

_Lady E._ That he is a monster.--[_Aside._] How my dilemmas multiply!

_Sir C._ What, to my house! to his apartment here! I wonder he did not ask for protection in yours.--What should you have said?

_Lady E._ I don't know; but, had I been so imposed upon as to receive her, I should scorn to betray even the criminal I had engaged to protect.

_Sir C._ [_Tries at the Door, and finds it locked._] Emily, my dear, do ring the bell, to know if the housekeeper has a second key to this lock.

_Lady E._ What shall I do?

_Prompt._ She is certainly there, sir, and cannot escape. Where can she better remain, till you can assemble all parties, confront them, face to face, and bring every thing that has passed to a full explanation?

_Sir C._ With all my heart; send and collect every body concerned as fast as possible.--How I long for so complicated an exhibition of the purity of the human heart; Come with me, Emily, and help to digest my plan,--Friends and lovers, what a scene shall we show you!

[_Takes LADY EMILY under the Arm.--Exeunt._