Jaques. Yes, your Excellency.

Enter D'ESSARS and JAQUES.

D'Ess. And d'ye hear-at the same time give the people to understand, that they have the honour to be employ'd in the service of his ExcelJency Count D'Essars of Paris, President of Police, &c. &c. and therefore cannot demand any recompense for their trouble-my orders must be obey'd.

Jaques. They shall, your Excellency. Exit Jaques. D'Ess. Your servant, Sir; I require the shelter of your roof for a short time-I suppose you know who I am: if not, I'll tell you I am Count D'Essars, President of Police at Paris, &c. &c.now you know me.

Ger. I'll brave the danger at once. May I ask, Sir, who this fugitive is whom you are in pursuit of?

D'Ess. Oh! a mad-brain'd romantic boy of

mine.

Ger. Then I am secure (aside).
D'Ess. And a young girl.-

Ger. Ha! (aside).

D'Ess. Whom Madam D'Essars patronized for her skill in embroidery; but when this young fellow saw her, whew! he fancied himself in love, forsooth.

Ger. And what followed?

D'Ess. Why I remonstrated, contrasted his nobility with her obscurity, forbade him to think of her any more, and told him my orders must be obey'd.

Ger. I must be further satisfied (aside). Had this no effect?

D'Ess, Yes-exactly the contrary to what I

intended-he told me to my face, that his actions were free, and would not be confin'd to any orders of mine! Think of that my orders not to be obey'd! and finish'd by swearing that nothing should deprive him of the object of his affection; as virtue alone was true nobility; and that uncorrupted purity was the brightest gem that could adorn the coronet of dignity!

Ger. Well!

D'Ess. No-it was very ill, for presently came an hypocritical note from the girl, saying she had withdrawn secretly from Paris, that my son's attachment might no longer be a source of uneasiness to her benefactress.

Ger. Generous girl! 'tis the poor wanderer they seek; but I will still protect her (aside). Your

son

D'Ess. Was not to be found, and I make no doubt it was all a contrivance to elope together; but I have certain intelligence he has been cantering over these unlucky mountains with that rambling rascal, his friend Fripon.-To you, I shall be indebted for a few hours' repose :-I mean to depart soon.

Ger. Blessed chance!

D'Ess. Blessed chance!-he can't surely have the insolence to mean the chance I stood of breaking my neck - why, what ails the fellow? (looking intently at him, Geraldo betrays emotion).

(Here Geraldo turns towards, and looks stedfastly at D'Essars.

D'Ess. Zounds, how he fixes his eyes upon me. Poor fellow, he's a little touch'd, odd, I perceive -they told me he was eccentric, (touching his forehead).-Pray, friend, how long have you been in this melancholy situation?

Ger. (aside). Surely the lapse of twenty years

D'Ess. Twenty years the Devil!-then he's incurable, and it may be dangerous to stay here a moment longer-Jaques! this man should not be suffer'd to remain at liberty.

Ger. No! (Puts his hand in his bosom for the pistol).

D' Ess. Jaques, I say why don't you obey my orders? we must have him secured immediately. Ger. Never!...

Enter JAQUEs.

(Here Geraldo levels the pistol at D'Essars. Jaques is coming forward, but seeing the pistol, retreats in great alarm behind D'Essars. At the same instant' Julia comes from the door in the Hut, utters an exclamation, and retreats precipitately-music sudden and violent).

Ger. Rash girl! (aside.)

D'Ess. Ha! either my eyes deceived me, or in that room-I'll be convinced-(Advances.)

Ger. Not for your life!-stand back (again levels the pistol).

D'Ess. Hey!-zounds! what are you about? (Aside to Jaques). I hope it is not loaded. Jaques. So do I, upon my soul.

D'Ess. I am afraid his fit is coming on.
Jaques. I wish my fit was going off.

D'Ess. Curse the fellow, he has frightened me into a fever.

Jaques. And me into an ague.

D'Ess. My good friend, I wish not to molest you-but I must examine that apartment.

Ger. At your peril be it then. (Brunette suddenly appears from the apartment, and they both stand in amaze.) Ha! this is well.

D'Ess. Amazement! I could have sworn 'twas the girl I was in pursuit of.

Ger. Yes, and have sworn falsely-is this just? Suspicion led you to believe I had conceal'd this fugitive, this friendless orphan-grant it so: range thro' the world, and, if you can, find an object more deserving of protection than deserted innocence. Away!-your jurisdiction reaches not the shelter of my humble dwelling; you have forfeited the rights of hospitality, for you have endeavoured to make me betray them-begone, I say.

Jaques. So I say; and the sooner the betterI'm off for one." [Exit Jaques. Ger. Brunette, conduct the Count the nearest way to the village-farewell.

D'Ess. Farewell-Sirrah! we shall meet again to your confusion; for tho' I am now obliged to obey your orders, depend upon it, it will soon be your turn to obey mine.

[Exit, followed by Brunette. Ger. Thank Heaven! he's gone, and knows me not. My own situation, 'tis true, is perilous, but he must be a wretch indeed, who, from personal timidity, would refuse to dry the tear that falls on woman's cheek. [Exit.

A

Act II.

SCENE I.

A View of the Mountains.

Enter JAQUES and BRUNETTE.

Jaques. My love, my life, my lamb

Brun. Lamb, indeed! was there ever any thing so provoking!

Jaques. No, never! you are the most provoking little creature I ever saw in my life-first, you are so provokingly pretty-then you are so provokingly cruel-how can you have the heart to be so provokingly barbarous.

Brun. I wish you would not teaze me.

Jaques. Teaze you!-I want to please you. Oh! I am sorely smitten. Most beautiful of mountain blossoms, thou fairest of all Brunettes, have pity on my youth. Sweet maiden, I'm in Jove.

Jaques. Me!-Yes; why not?-'tis true, I'm not an Adonis, nor a full-grown Cupid, but I am a man-a little one, to be sure-but-what there is of me is good.

Erun. I tell you I shall be too late for the wedding.

Jaques. No

you won't, if you'll take me.