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.

Enter CHIGNON.

{Exit.

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 se

cret.

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, and 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 misfor

tune-eh bien-when love and interest come acrossalway prefer de interest for to-day, and take de chance of de love to-morrow-dat is de humour of France.

[Exit.

SCENE II.

ŞIR CLEMENT FLINT'S House.

3

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 affec

tion.

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 schoolboy-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

3

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 wordMademoiselle 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 Leiter.] 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 disconcertedconfounded-thunderstruck-This letter is indeed of a different nature, from that I expected-I am more interested in Miss Alton's fate than your lordshipmy 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