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Pet. The devil! Then I must go farther a-field, for there's nobody else that I know of in this place.

Ger. [Aside.] Oh, dear! oh, dear! how blind he is, to

be sure.

Pet. Ah!-stop! What a fool I am, never to have remembered

Ger. Well, who?--what?

Pet. Why, that to-morrow will be market-day here, and that there'll be plenty of pretty girls from all the villages round about—so I can choose without the trouble of a journey.

row.

DUTCH AIR.-PETER.

To-morrow will be market day,

The streets all thronged with lasses gay
And from a crowd so great, no doubt,
Sweethearts enough I may pick out.
In verity, verity, &c.

GERTRUDE.

Be not too bold, for hearts fresh caught,
Are ne'er, I'm told, to market brought;
The best, they say, are given away,
Nor left to sell on market day.

In verity, verity, &c.

Pet. Well, at any rate, I'll take my chance of to-morBut yonder's Mamzelle and some of the gentlefolks, so I'll go and hear what the steward has done for me. Good bye, Gertrude. I say, mind, if you can find me a nice, little, good-tempered wife, I'll make you a present the day I'm married, and you shall dance at the wedding. [Exit, R.

Ger. Now, isn't it provoking? He can think of every body but me; and unless I were to say to him, plump, "Peter, will you marry me?"-and then, if he should say, "No!" oh, I should die with shame and disappointment. Oh, dear! oh, dear! how vexatious it is! And it's not only Peter, but nobody seems to think me worth marrying at all-nobody ever says a civil thing to me of any sort! I never had a sweetheart in all my life, and I do believe that's the reason. If I only had one to being with, I shouldn't wonder if they swarmed afterwards.

SONG.-("A Temple to Friendship.")

I don't think I'm ugly!-I'm only just twenty-
I know I should make a most excellent wife:

The girls all around me have lovers in plenty,
But I not a sweetheart can get for my life!
It isn't because I am not worth a penny,

For lasses as poor I've known dozens to win;
That I should have none, and the others so many,
I vow and declare it's a shame and a sin!

[Retires up the stage, sobbing, R.

Enter ERNESTINE and CAPTAIN AMERSFORT, L.

Amer. Why, you proposed the ride yourself, Ernestine.
Ern. Perhaps I did; but I've changed my mind.
Amer. Will you walk, then?

Ern. It's too hot.

Amer. By the side of the canal-under the trees?
Ern. By the side of the canal?

I wonder you

propose that I should tow the passage-boat.

don't

Amer. I shouldn't wonder if you proposed something equally extravagant. For myself, I have done I shall suggest nothing else. Please yourself, if possible, and you

will please me.

Ern. Now he's out of humour.

Amer. No, not out of humour, but you are the most capricious creature!

Ern. Well, well, sir, if you are tired of your allegiance, renounce it at once. I have plenty of slaves at my footstool, who will serve me with oriental obedience !

Amer. (R.) If they really loved you, they would not encourage you in your follies.

Ern. (c.) My follies! How dare you talk to me of my follies, sir? Hold your tongue! rectly! There's Gertrude, and I

Gertrude!

Ger. (L.) Yes, mamzelle.

Hold your tongue, di-
want to speak to her.
[Calling.
[Drying her eyes.

Ern. What's the matter, Gertrude? you've been crying.

Ger. (L.) Yes, mamzelle.

Ern. And what for? Has any one vexed you? some faithless swain, perhaps?

Ger. Oh, dear, no, mamzelle. I wish it was-but that's not possible! [Bursts out afresh.

Ern. How d'ye mean-not possible, child?

Ger. Because I haven't got a swain of any sort.
Ern. Bless the girl! What, no sweetheart, at your

age?

Ger. No, mamzelle.

Ern. Then, perhaps, that's what you're crying about? Ger. Yes, mamzelle.

Ern. Silly wench! you ought to rejoice at it rather; the men are nothing but plagues, Gertrude. Lovers, indeed! there's not one worth having.

Ger. I-I wish I had one, though, just to try. I was just saying to myself, it was a shame that some young women should have a score, and others none at all.

Amer. The girl is right enough there. It's a shame that some young women should have a score, and hold out equal hopes to all.

Ern. The sooner you lessen the number of mine, the better, then. I could manage to spare even the gallant Captain Amersfort-and-a capital thought! as you seem so concerned at the unequal division, I'll transfer you to Gertrude.

Ger. Law, mamzelle, you don't say so? Will you, really?

Amer. Ernestine!

What folly!

Ern. I'm quite serious. As you have no admirer, Gertrude, and I have so many, I'll give you one of mine.

Ger. Oh, but I don't want you to give me one, mamzelle. If you'll only lend me a beau--just to encourage the

others.

Ern. Ha! ha ha! delightful! That's better still!you hear, sir, I am not to give you up altogether, though you deserve it; I shall only try your obedience! We command you, therefore, on pain of our sovereign displeasure, to pay all proper attentions to our handmaid, Gertrude; you are her beau till further notice.

Amer. Ernestine, are you mad?

Ern. Mad or not, you will obey me, or take the consequences. I won't be charged with folly and extravagance for nothing-Aside.] Remember, I have promised my father to decide this day in favour of somebody. If you hesitate only, you are excluded from all chance.-[Aloud.] Gertrude, I lend you a beau, on your personal security, mind.

Ger. Oh, you needn't be afraid, mamzelle-I'll take the greatest care of him—and, besides—

DUTCH AIR.-GERTRUDE.
Think not I the heart would keep,
I'm content to borrow;

See, if I don't have a heap,

To pay it from, to-morrow.
Money, money makes, they say-
The job is to get any!

Aud lovers grow-so money may.

ERNESTINE.

Oh, yes, one fool makes many.

Ern. [To Amersfort.] One step, and you lose me forever.

[Exit.

Amer. [To himself.] This passes everything. I am a fool, indeed, and love her like a fool, or I would never bear

Ger. Only think! I've got a beau at last—and such a beau--an officer ! a fine, young, handsome officer! What'll Peter say to that?

Amer. And while I thus humour her caprices, she returns to the house to flirt with that puppy, Amstell, or that booby, Blankenburg.

Ger. But he takes no more notice of me than Peter, himself.

Amer. I will not endure it. I will follow her, and

Ger. Stop! stop! you mustn't run away-you're only lent to me, you know-and if I should lose you, there'll be a pretty business!

Amer. [Laughing in despite of himself.] Upon my word, this is is too ridiculous. So you really look upon me as

a loan, do you?

Ger. Yes, and I don't choose to be left alone. My stars! Peter could do that.

Amer. Peter! who's Peter? I thought you said hadn't a sweetheart in the world?

Ger. Nor have I.

you

Amer. Come, come, no fibs! You've betrayed yourse.f. This said Peter, isn't he a sweetheart ?

Gr. No, I don't think he is—at least, I don't know. What do you call a sweetheart-one whom you love, or one who loves you ?

Amer. One who loves you, of course.

B

Ger. Well, then, I'm right, he is not my sweetheart ; but I am his, for I love him dearly.

Amer. What a candid little soul! And so you really love Peter dearly, though Peter doesn't love you? But are you sure he doesn't love you?

Ger. I don't believe he ever thought about it.

Amer. Is it possible! Why, you are very pretty. [Aside.] Upon my soul, she is uncommonly pretty. I wonder I never noticed her before. [Aloud.] And so Peter has never thought about you?

Ger. No

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What charm

Amer. There's love!-there's devotion! ing frankness!-what innocent enthusiasm! By Jove! if she wasn't so fond of another, I should be almost tempted -if it were only to punish Ernestine! I-I-[Aloud.] Confound that Peter! Almost a fool-he must be a downright idiot not to fall head over ears in love with such a sweet, dear, bewitching- [Catches her round the waist; he is about to kiss her as PETER SPYK enters with SWYZEL.

Swy. I beg your pardon, captain.

[Both stop short-Peter staring at Gertrude.

Ger. [Aside.] Oh, lud, there is Peter!

Amer. What the devil do you want?

Swy. Only to introduce Peter Spyk-an honest young farmer-who desires to be your honour's tenant.

Amer. Peter Spyk! What, is this the Peter?

Ger. Yes, that's Peter Spyk: and he wants to rent your

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