Nich. Not a better in all Germany.

Chris. Then take my advice and keep it.
Nich. I will.

Chris. Do! [Nicholas goes out, L.] My mistress will be discovered at last, well as she disguises herself and plays the man. I wish she had not taken this fancy into her head-it may bring her into trouble. [Catherine sings without, R.] Ha! here she is; returned to her proper self Who would believe that this was the spark I let into the house at two o'clock in the morning?

Enter CATHERINE, R.

Cath. [Speaking as she enters.] Christina!

Chris. Madam!

Cath. Oh, here you are!

just now?

Was not Nicholas with you

Chris. Yes, he is only this moment gone. I have just been giving him a lesson. He saw you when you came home last night.

Cath. Hush! secrets should be dumb to very walls! A chink may change a nation's destinies,

"And where are walls without one-that have doors? "Voice hath a giant's might, not a dwarf's bulk;

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It passeth where a tiny fly must stop;

Conspiracy that does not lock it out,

"Fastens the door in vain." Let's talk in whispers,

And then, with mouth to ear. 'Tis strange, Christina, So long I practice this deceit, and still

Pass for a thing I am not-ne'er suspected

The thing I am-'mongst those who know me best, too. Yet would that all dissemblers meant as fair!

I play the cheat for very honesty,

To find a worthy heart out, and reward it.

"Far as the poles asunder are two things,

"Self-interest and undesigning love :

"Yet no two things more like, to see them smile.

"He is a conjurer, Christina, then,

"Can tell you which is which!" Shall I be won,
Because I'm valued as a money-bag,

For that I bring to him who winneth me?
No!-sooner matins in a cloister, than
Marriage like that in open church! 'Tis hard

To find men out; they are such simple things!
Heaven help you: they are mostly bird-catchers,
That hold aloof until you're in their nets,

And then they are down upon you, and you're caged,
No more your wings your own. I have scarcely slept!
Chris. You run great risk, methinks, for doubtful gain.
I wonder oft, when thus you play the man,

You should escape offence; for men they are,
By nature brawlers, and of stalwart limb,
Who of their fellows take advantage, when
Of slight and stinted frame; and you do make
But, at the best, a green and osier man!

Cath. And there's a little airy, fairy thing,
Called spirit; equalises statures,

Ekes my dimensions out, beyond what, else,
Might suffer those o'erbear, that do o'ertower me.
Besides, I have full pockets! That's enough!
They call me "The Young Stranger," and forbear
All question, since admonished 'twas my mood
To see the world incognito.

Chris. And think you, none did e'er suspect your sex?
Cath. Sure on't; for once suspected, 'twere found out.
Chris. How do you hide the woman?

Cath. With the man!

It was my girlhood's study. Bless thee, child,
When I have dressed my brows, my upper lip,
And chin en cavalier, I take an oath,

From such a time to such, I am a man.
And so I am! One quarreled with me once-
'Twas when I first began this masquerade.
His fire I quenched,

As water turneth iron cinder black,

In a white heat ducked sudden into it!

Chris. But of your lovers?

Cath. Tell me who they are!

Alas, to have a rival in one's gown!

For 'tis the same thing-'tis your property.
The fabric of the sempstress supercedes

Heaven's fashioning-your body and your face;
Yet so it is with dames of noble birth,

And how much more, then, with a wretched serf,
For, though ten times enfranchised, such I

am.

Mrs. B. Oh, my dear Cox, I know how that happened. Fanny has explained all to me, and I'm satisfied.

Cox. Oh, very well, if you're satisfied. I suppose it's my duty to be content. so give me your hand, Box.

Box. Take it. Cox. (grasp each other's hands, warmly) Hold! I've an idea of something looming in the future. Cox Speak, what is it?

Box. Your child is a girl?
Cox. Yes, of the female sex.

Box. Mine is a male boy--what if we should unite the houses of Box and Cox by a future marriage between our infant heirs?

Cox Hah! a family compact-good.

Box A contract sociale!

Mrs. B. How delightful!

Mrs. C. How charming!

Cox. Box, my dear fellow, we'll drink the health of the young couple to-day, in a glass of champague.

Box. So we will, my boy, and let us hope that the popularity which Box and Cox enjoyed in their bachelor stateCox. May not be withdrawn from them when they are

Mrs. C.

Mrs. B.

MARRIED AND SETTLED.

Box.
Cox.

MODERN STANDARD DRAMA.

EDITED BY JOHN W. S. HOWS.

No. LXV.

LOVE :

A Play

IN FIVE ACTS.

BY JAMES SHERIDAN KNOWLES.

WITH THE STAGE BUSINESS, CASTS OF CHARACTERS, COSTUMES, RELATIVE POSITIONS, ETC.

NEW YORK:

WM. TAYLOR & CO.

151 NASSAU STREET, CORNER OF SPRUCE.