draw the secret from these lips, not even Felix, tho' at the hazard of his love. I hear him coming; retire into that closet.

Isab. Remember, Violante, upon thy promise my very life depends.

[Exit. Vio. When I betray thee may I share thy fate.

Enter FELIX.

My Felix, my everlasting love! [Runs into his arms. Fel. My life my soul! my Violante !

Vio. What hazards dost thou run for me? Oh, how shall I requite thee?

Fel. If during this tedious painful exile thy thoughts have never wander'd from thy Felix, thou hast made me more than satisfaction.

Vio. Can there be room within this heart for any but thyself? No; if the god of love were lost to all the rest of human-kind, thy image would secure him in my breast: I am all truth, all love, all faith, and know no jealous fears.

Fel. My heart's the proper sphere where love resides: could he quit that he would be no where found; and yet Violante I'm in doubt.

Vio. Did I ever give thee cause to doubt, my Felix?

Fel. True love has many fears, and Fear as many eyes as Fame, yet sure I think they see no fault in thee. [Colonel taps again.] What's that?

Vio. What! I heard nothing.

[Taps again. [Again.

Fel. Ha! What means this signal at your window? Vio. Somewhat perhaps in passing by might accidentally hit it; it can be nothing else.

Col. [Within.] Hist, hist, Donna Violante, Donna Violante !

Fel. They use your name by accident too, do they, madam?

Enter FLORA.

Flo. There is a gentleman at the window, madam, which I fancy to be him who brought Isabella hither. Shall I admit him?

Vio. Admit distraction rather!

of this, unthinking wretch.

[Aside to Violante.

Thou art the cause

[Aside to Flora.

Fel. What, has Mr. Scout brought you fresh intelligence? Death! I'll know the bottom of this immediately.

[Offers to go.

Flo. Scout! I scorn your words, senior.
Vio. Nay, nay, nay, you must not leave me.

[Runs and catches hold of him. Fel. Oh! 'tis not fair to answer the gentleman, madam; it is none of his fault that his visit proves unseasonable. Pray let me go, my presence is but a restraint upon you.

[Struggles to get from her. The Col. pats again. Vio. Was ever accident so mischievous ! [Aside. Flo. It must be the colonel-Now to deliver my letter to him. [Exit. The Col. taps louder. Fel. Hark! he grows impatient at your delay. Why do you hold the man whose absence would ob

lige you? Pray, let me go, madam.

gentleman wants you at the window.

Vio. It is not me he wants.

Consider the

Confusion ! [Struggles still.

Fel. Death not you! Is there another of your name in the house? But come on, convince me of the truth of what you say; open the window, if his business does not lie with you your conversation may be heard. This, and only this, can take off my suspicion.-What, do you pause? Oh, guilt, guilt I→→ Have I caught you? Nay, then I'll leap the balcony. If I remember, this way leads to it.

[Breaks from her, and goes to the door where Isa

bella is.

Vio. "Oh, Heaven! what shall I do now!" Hold, hold, hold, hold; not for the world-you enter there. Which way shall I preserve his sister from his knowledge? [Aside.

Fel. What, have I touch'd you? Do you fear your lover's life?

Vio. I fear for none but you.-For goodness' sake do not speak so loud, my Felix. If my father hear you, I am lost for ever; that door opens into his apartment. What shall I do if he enters? There he finds his sister-If he goes out he'll quarrel with -Felix, Felix!.

the stranger.

"struggle to be gone, my Felix.

Nay, do not If I open the

"window he may discover the whole intrigue, and "yet of all evils we ought to chuse the least"

Your curiosity shall be satisfied. [Goes to the window,

and throws up the sash.] Whoe'er you are that with such insolence dare use my name, and give the neighbourhood pretence to reflect upon my conduct, I charge you instantly to be gone, or expect the treatment you deserve.

Col. I ask pardon, madam, and will obey: but when I left this house to-night

Fel. Good!

Vio. It is most certainly the stranger. What will be the event of this Heaven knows. [Aside.] You are mistaken in the house, I suppose, sir.

Fel. No, no, he's not mistaken.

let the gentleman go on.

Pray, madam,

Vio. "Wretched misfortune!" Pray, be gone, sir, I know of no business you have here.

Col. I wish I did not know it neither-But this house contains my soul, then can you blame my body for hovering about it ?

Fel. Excellent!

Vio. "Distraction! He will infallibly discover Isa"bella." I tell you again you are mistaken; however, for your own satisfaction, call to-morrow.

Fel. Matchless impudence! An assignation before my face-No, he shall not live to meet your wishes. [Takes out a pistol and goes towards the window; she catches hold of him.

Vio. Ah! [Shrieks.] Hold, I conjure you. Col. To-morrow's an age, madam! may I not be admitted to-night?

Vio. If you be a gentleman, I command your ab

Fel. Pray observe the gentleman's request, madam.

Vio. I am all confusion.

[Walking off from her.

[Aside. Fel. You are all truth, all love, all faith! oh, thou all woman l- -How have I been deceived?'Sdeath, could you not have imposed upon me for this one night? Could neither my faithful love, nor the hazard I have run to see you, make me worthy to be cheated on. Oh, thou

Vio. Can I bear this from you?

[Weeps.

Fel. [Repeats.] When I left this house to-nightTo-night! the devil! return so soon!

Vio. Oh, Isabella! what hast thou involv'd me in!

[Aside. Fel. [Repeats.] This house contains my soul. Vio. Yet I resolve to keep the secret. [Aside. Fel. [Repeats.] Be careful of my life, for it is in your keeping.- -Damnation !- -How ugly she ap[Looking at her. Vio. Do not look so sternly on me, but believe me, Felix, I have not injur'd you, nor am I false.

pears!

Fel. Not false, not injur'd me! Oh, Violante, lost and abandoned to thy vice! Not false! Oh, mon

strous!

Vio. Indeed I am not.-There is a cause which I must not reveal.-Oh, think how far honour can

D