Enter CHIGNON.

Chignon. [Aside.] Ma foi, la voila-I will lose no time to pay my addresse-Now for de humble maniere, and de unperplex assurance of my contrée [Bowing with a French shrug.-Miss ALTON turning over Music Books.] Mademoiselle, est-il permis? may I presume to offer you my profound homage [MISS ALTON not taking Notice.] Mademoiselle-if you vill put your head into my hands, I vill give a distinction to your beauty, that shall make you and me de conversation of all de town.

Miss Alton. I request, Mr. Chignon, you will devote your ambition to your own part of the compli

ment.

Mr. Als. [Without.] Where is my daughter?

Miss Alton. Is that Mr. Alscrip's voice, Mr. Chignon ? It's awkward for me to meet him before I'm introduced.

Chignon. Keep a little behind, mademoiselle; he vill only pashe de room-He vill not see through me.

Enter ALSCRIP.

Alscrip. Hah, my daughter gone already, but [See CHIGNON.] there's a new specimen of foreign vermin -A lady's valet de chambre-Taste for ever!-Now if I was to give the charge of my person to a waiting maid, they'd say I was indelicate, [As he crosses the Stage, CHIGNON keeps sideling to intercept his Sight, and bowing as he looks towards him.] What the devil is mounseer at? I thought all his agility lay in his fingers what antics is the monkey practising? He twists and doubles himself as if he had a raree-show at his back.

:

Chignon. [Aside.] Be gar no raree-show for you, monsieur Alscrip, if I can help.

Alscrip. [Spying Miss ALTON.] Ah! ah! What have we got there? Monsieur, who is that?

Chignon. Sir, my lady wish to speak to you in her boudoir. She sent me to conduct you, sir.

Alscrip. [Imitating.] Yes, sir, but I will first conduct myself to this lady-Tell me this minute, who

she is?

Chignon. Sir, she come to live here, companion to my lady-Mademoiselle study some musique-she must not be disturbed.

Alscrip. Get about your business, monsieur, or I'll disturb every comb in your head-Go tell my daughter to stay till I come to her. I shall give her companion some cautions against saucy Frenchmen, sirrah!

Chignon. [Aside.] Cautions! peste! you are subject a' cautions yourself-I suspecte you to be von old rake, but no ver dangerous rival. [Exit. Alscrip. [To himself, and looking at her with his Glass.] The devil is never tired of throwing baits in my way. [She comes forward modestly.] By all that's delicious! I must be better acquainted with her. {He bows. She courtesies, the Music Book still in her Hand.] But how to begin-My usual way of attacking my daughter's maids will never do.

Miss Alton. [Aside.] My situation is very embarrassing.

Alscrip. Beauteous stranger, give me leave to add my welcome to my daughter's. Since Alscrip House was established, she never brought any thing into it to please me before.

Miss Alton. [A little confused.] Sir, it is a great additional honour to that Miss Alscrip has done me, to be thought worthy so respectable a protection as yours.

Alscrip. I could furnish you with a better word than respectable. It sounds so distant, and my feelings have so little to do with cold respect-I never had such a desire-to make myself agreeable.

Miss Alton. [Aside.] A very strange old man. [To

him, more confused.] Sir, you'll pardon me, I believe Miss Alscrip is waiting.

Alscrip. Don't be afraid, my dear, enchanting diffident (zounds, what a flutter am I in!) don't be afraid -my disposition, to be sure, is too susceptible; but then it is likewise so dove-like, so tender, and so innocent. Come, play me that tune, and enchant my ear, as you have done my eye.

Miss Alton. Sir, I wish to be excused, indeed it does not deserve your attention.

Alscrip. Not deserve it! I had rather hear you, than all the signoritininies together.-These are the strings to which my senses shall dance. [Sets the Harp. Miss Alton. Sir, it is to avoid the affectation of refusing what is so little worth asking for.

[Takes the Harp and plays a Few Bars of a lively Air. ALSCRIP kisses her Fingers with rupture. Alscrip. Oh! the sweet little twiddle-diddles! Miss Alton. For shame, sir, what do you mean? [ALSCRIP gets hold of both her Hands and continues kissing her Fingers.

Miss Alton. [Struggling.] Help!

Enter MISS ALSCRIP.

Miss Als. I wonder what my papa is doing all this time?

[A short Pause-Miss ALSCRIP surprised.MISS ALTON Confused.-ALSCRIP puts his Hand to his Eye.

Alscrip. Oh, child! I have got something in my eye, that makes me almost mad.-A little midgebelieve. 'Gad, I caught hold of this young lady hand in one of my twitches, and her nerves were as much in a flutter as if I had bit her.

Miss Als. [Significantly.] Yes, my dear papa, I perceive you have something in your eye, and I'll do my best to take it out immediately- -Miss Alton, will you do me the favour to walk into the drawing room?

Miss Alton. I hope, madam, you will permit me, at a proper opportunity, to give my explanation of what has passed? [Retires.

Miss Als. There's no occasion-Let it rest among the catalogue of wonders, like the Glastonbury thorn, that blooms at Christmas.- -To be serious, papa, though I carried off your behaviour as well as I could, I am really shocked at it-A man of your years, and of a profession where the opinion of the world is of such consequence

Alscrip. My dear Molly, have not I quitted the practice of attorney, and turned fine gentleman, to laugh at the world's opinion; or, had I not, do you suppose the kiss of a pretty wench would hurt a lawyer? My dear Molly, if the fraternity had no other reflections to be afraid of!

Miss Als. Oh! hideous, Molly indeed! you ought to have forgot I had a christened name long ago; am not I going to be a countess? If you did not stint my fortune, by squand'ring yours away upon dirty trulis, I might be called your grace.

Alscrip. Spare your lectures, and you shall be called your highness, if you please.

Enter SERVANT.

Serv. Madam, Lady Emily Gayville is in her carriage in the street, will your ladyship be at home? Miss Als. Yes, show her into the drawing.room. [Exit SERVANT.] I entreat, sir, you will keep a little more guard upon your passions; consider the dignity of your house, and if you must be cooing, buy a French figurante. [Exit.

Alscrip. Well said, my lady countess! well said, quality morals! What am I the better for burying a jealous wife? To be chicken pecked is a new persecution, more provoking than the old one-Oh Molly! Molly!

[Exit.

SCENE II.

The Drawing Room.

MISS ALTON, alone.

Miss Alton. What perplexing scenes I already meet with in this house? I ought, however, to be contented in the security it affords against the attempts of Heartly. I am contented-But, O Clifford! It was hard to be left alone to the choice of distresses.

Enter CHIGNON, introducing LADY EMILY.

Chignon. My Lady Emily Gayville- Madame no here! Mademoiselle, announce, if you please, my lady.

Lady E. [Aside.] Did my ears deceive me? surely I heard the name of Clifford-and it escaped in an accent!-Pray, sir, who is that? [To CHIGNON Chignon. Mademoiselle Alton, confidante of my lady, and next after me in her suite.

[Examines her Head Dress impertinently. MISS ALTON with great modesty rises and puts her Work together.

Lady E. There seems to be considerable difference in the decorum of her attendants. You need not stay, sir.

Chignon. [As he goes out.] Ma foi, sa tête est passable-her head may pass.

Lady E. [Aside.] Flow my heart beats with curiosity! [MISS ALTON having disposed her things in her Work Bag, is retiring with a Courtesy.] Miss Alton, I