ther's penance shall be short, and I'll take the reconciliation scene upon myself.

Lady E. [Endeavouring to recover herself.] I cannot but pity him; especially as I am sure, that do what you will, he will always regard you with the same eyes. And so, my sweet sister, I leave him to your mercy, and to that of your representative, whose disposition, if I have any judgment, is ill suited to a task of severity.

Mrs. Blandish. Dear Lady Emily, carry me away with you. When a lover is coming, it shall never be said I am in the way.

Lady E. [Looking at MISS ALTON.-Aside.] What a painful suspense am I to suffer? another instant, and I shall betray myself-adieu, Miss Alscrip.

Miss Als. Call Lady Emily's servants.

Lady E. You sha'n't stir-remember nimini primini. I am at your orders.

[Exit. Mrs Blandish. I follow you, my sweet volatile. [Coming back, and squeezing Miss ALSCRIP'S Hand, in a half whisper.] She'd give her eyes, to be like you. [Exit. Miss Als. Now for it, Miss Alton-Only remember that you are doubling me, the woman he adores. Miss Alton. Indeed, madam, I am quite incapable of executing your orders to your satisfaction. The utmost I can undertake is a short message.

Miss Als. Never fear. [Knock at the Door.] There he comes-Step aside, and I'll give you your very words. [Exeunt.

Enter LORD GAYVILLE, conducted by a SERVANT.

Lord G. So, now to get thorough this piece of drudgery. There's a meanness in my proceeding, and my compunction is just. Oh, the dear, lost possessor of my heart; lost, irrecoverably lost!

Enter MISS ALTON, from the Bottom of the Scene.

Miss Alton. A pretty employment I am sent upon! Lord G. [To himself.] Could she but know the sacrifice I am ready to make!

Miss Alton. [To herself.] The very picture of a lover, if absence of mind marks one. It is unpleasant for me to interrupt a man I never saw, but I shall deliver my message very concisely.-My lord

Lord G. [Turning.] Madam. [Both start and stand in surprise.] Astonishment! Miss Alton! my charming fugitive?

Miss Alton. How, Mr. Heartly-Lord Gayville! Lord G. My joy and my surprise are alike unutterable. But I conjure you, madam, tell me by what here? strange circumstance do I meet you Miss Alton. [Aside.] Now assist me, honest pride! assist me, resentment.

Lord G. You spoke to me— -Did you know me ?

Miss Alton. No otherwise, my lord, than as Miss Alscrip's lover. I had a message from her to your lordship.

Lord G. For Heaven's sake, madam, in what capacity?

Miss Alton. In one, my lord, not very much above the class of a servant.

Lord G. Impossible, sure! It is to place the brilliant below the foil-to make the inimitable work of nature secondary to art and defect.

Miss Alton. It is to take refuge in a situation that offers me security against suspicious obligation; against vile design; against the attempts of a seducer -It is to exercise the patience, that the will, and perhaps the favour, of Heaven meant to try.

Lord G. Cruel, cruel to yourself and me-Could I have had a happiness like that of assisting you against the injustice of fortune-and when to be thus degraded was the alternative ?—

F

Miss Alton. My lord, it is fit I should be explicit. Reflect upon the language you have held to me; view the character in which you present yourself to this family; and then pronounce in whose breast we must look for a sense of degradation.

Lord G. In mine, and mine alone. I confess itHear nevertheless my defence-My actions are all the result of love. And culpable as I may seem, my conscience does not reproach me with

Miss Alton. Oh, my lord, I readily believe you— You are above its reproaches-qualities, that are infamous and fatal, in one class of life, create applause and conscientious satisfaction in another,

Lord G. Infamous and fatal qualities! What means my lovely accuser?

Miss Alton. That to steal or stab is death in common life but when one of your lordship's degree sets his hard heart upon the destruction of a woman, how glorious is his success! How consummate his triumph, when he can follow the theft of her affections by the murder of her honour.

Enter Miss ALSCRIP softly behind.

Miss Als. I wonder how it goes on.

Lord G. Exalted! Adorable woman!

Miss Als. Adorable! Ay, I thought how 'twould be!

Lord G. Hear me! I conjure you

Miss Als. Not a word, if she knows her business. Miss Alton. My lord! I have heard too much. Miss Als. Brava. I could not have played it better myself.

Lord G. Oh! Still more charming than severe,

[Kneels. Miss Als. Humph! I hope he means me, though. Lord G. The character in which you see me here makes me appear more odious to myself, if possible, than I am to you.

3

Miss Als. [Behind.] By all that's treacherous I doubt it.

Miss Alton. Desist, my lord-Miss Alscrip has a claim.

Miss Als. Ay, now for it.

Lord G. By Heaven, she is my aversion. It is my family, on whom I am dependent, that has betrayed me into these cursed addresses.-Accept my contrition-pity a wretch struggling with the complicated torments of passion, shame, penitence and despair.

Miss Als. [Comes forward-all stand confused.] I never saw a part better doubled in my life!

Lord G. Confusion! What a light do I appear in to them both! How shall I redeem myself, even in my own opinion?

Miss Als. [Looking at LORD GAYVILLE.] Expressive dignity!-Looking at Miss ALTON.] Sweet simplicity! Amiable diffidence!"She should execute

my commands most awkwardly."

Lord G. [Aside.] There is but one way. [To MISS ALSCRIP.] Madam, your sudden entrance has effected a discovery which with shame I confess ought to have been made before--The lady, who stands there, is in possession of my heart. If it is a crime to adore her, I am the most guilty wretch on earth-Pardon me if you can; my sincerity is painful to me- -But in this crisis it is the only atonement I can offer.

[Bows and exit.

Miss Als. [After a Pause.] Admirable !—Perfect! The most finished declaration, I am convinced, that ever was made from beggarly nobility to the wo man that was to make his fortune-the lady, who stands there the lady-Madam-I am in patient expectation for the sincerity of your ladyship's atone

ment.

Miss Alton. I am confounded at the strange occurrences that have happened; but be assured you see in me an innocent and most unwilling rival.

Miss Als. Rival! better and better!-You-you give me uneasiness? You moppet-you coquet of the side table to catch the gawkey heir of the family, when he comes from school at Christmas-You-you you vile seducer of my good old honoured father; [Cries-In a passion again.] What, is my lady dumb? Hussy? Have you the insolence to hold your tongue

Miss Alton. Madam, I just now offered to justify this scene; I thought it the part of duty to myself, and respect to you. But your behaviour has now left but one sentiment upon my mind.

Miss Als. And what is that, madam ?

Miss Alton. [With pointed expression.] Scorn.

[Exit. Miss Als. Was there ever any thing like this before? —and to a woman of my fortune?—I to be robbed of a lover--and that a poor lord too-I'll have the act revived against witchcraft; I'll have the minx tried-I'll-I'lì—I'll[Exit.

SCENE III.

ALSGRIP'S Room of Business.

ALSCRIP and RIGHTLY.

Rightly. Upon all these matters, Mr. Alscrip, I am authorized by my client, Sir Clement Flint, to agree. There remains nothing but your favouring me with the inspection of the Chariton title-deeds, and your daughter's settlements may be engrossed.