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Lady C. The wretched person !

Mrs. T. And my Charles the former companion of his pleasures!—a lamb!-an angel of goodness!—a man who never leaves his own home, except for a day's shooting. Then, certainly, he is not to be controlled-once the coveys are out, my husband will not stay at home.

Sleek. He always is after the coveys! But what is to be done?

Lady C. [To Mrs. T.] Child, all this is your fault-yes, your fault-your want of firmness and decision.

[Nods to Sleek. Sleek. Yes, certainly, honored madam, it is all your fault. Lady C. When the abominable man said he was come to take up his quarters here, you should have recollected that there was not one room unoccupied.

Mrs. T. What! a friend of my husband's !-a gentleman that Charles is always speaking of, and whom he so well received!

Lady C. No matter; the presence of a libertine will compromise all our reputations. Your rooms should have been all occupied.

Mrs. T. But dear mamma, the truth— [Crosses to c. Lady C. Ah, my dear, the truth, when it is useful to

be told

Sleek. My honored friend is right; all depends on circumstances. We make a great distinction between saying what is not and not saying what is, according to the object and intentions-this is high morality.

Lady C. And in this case our object is to rescue my son-in-law from the society of a person

Sleek. Whose example and perfidious counsels would open an abyss before him.

Mrs. T. Oh, Lady Creamly!

Lady C. Bad example is dangerous

Sleek. And the human heart so weak, my honored friend. You hear that it is the intention of this person again to seek the acquaintance of those friends, from whose pernicious example you have withdrawn the husband of your bosom. He is so weak he would again be led astray, and—

Lady C. And then

Mrs. T. My poor Charles! But I certainly shall not

permit a stranger, a person entirely unknown, to come and lead him away from his good habits. But what is to be done? what plan can be devised? Aid me with your

counsels.

Sleek. It is almost too late.

Lady C. The only plan I can suggest is to request this person politely to go-politely-about his business— Sleek. Politely.

Mrs. T. I understand you; but how is that to be done? I could not dare attempt it. If you, my dear mamma, would take it upon yourself.

Lady C. Impossible, my child; it would look like dictating to you in your own house.

Sleek. That is very true.

Mrs. T. Well, then, Mr. Sleek, you will do it. It will add to the obligations we already owe you.

Sleek. Excuse me; these Hibernians are of such explosive natures, that it is quite possible he might forget my size, and the respect due to it. Mr. Torrens himself would be the proper person.

Lady C. No, that cannot be; they must not meet; and to make the matter more sure, we will send Charles for a few days in the country.

Mrs. T. He goes too often already, mamma.

Lady C. That is the wisest plan; and in the mean time, we will adopt a coolness of manner towards this intruder, which will make him more circumspect, and give him no inclination to remain in a house where the principles of those in it are so different from his own.

[Capt. Maguire speaks without. Sleek. Ha! here he comes, the sinful man of sanguinary war!

Enter CAPTAIN MAGUIRE, C, down R.

Capt. Upon my faith, your substantial hospitality lays me under infinite obligation. Better port I never tasted. Lady C. [Crosses to Maguire, austerely.] Captain Murphy Maguire, I have important orders to give, and am on the point of [Exit, bowing very stiffly, c. Capt. [Looks astonished, but bows profoundly in return. He then turns to Mrs. Torrens.] Then to "ou, my dear madam, the wife of my old friend

Mrs. T. [Following Lady C., and bowing in the most precise manner.] You must also excuse me, Captain Maguire; I shall be too late for the meeting. [Exit.

Capt. [Looks more amazed, but bows to the ground, then turning to Sleek, goes up to him and offers his hand in a cordial style.] Well, Mr. Sleek, the ladies appear to be monstrously engaged; the pleasure of entertaining me is reserved for you.

Sleek, (R.) [Taking out his watch.] Excuse, me, sir, I have not an instant to lose. The meeting cannot commence without me.

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[Looks angrily at Maguire, and exit, c. Capt. What the devil does all this mean? Oh, if that's the case, there's not a word to be said. Does it mean the cold shoulder? Is it to cut me they mean? But I'll not believe it-it's impossible, and what's impossible is not in nature. Oh, Charles Torrens, wife, and family, wouldn't be capable of behaving so shabbily to his old friend. Wait awhile, Captain Murphy Maguire, and syllogize a bit. This is a serious family. There's the old lady, as stiff as a ramrod, and as grey as an overall.

Mr.

Sleek, a shuffling, canting old robber; and the pretty Mrs. Torrens, with her sweet face, charming air, and saint-like look; and then Charley himself, instead of the free-hearted, devil-may-care fellow I knew him at college, has become as solemn and demure as a volume of "The Pilgrim's Progress." There is a mystery in all this, which must be unraveled!

EMMA peeps on.

Emma. He is quite alone. [Runs in.] Ah, dear Captain Maguire !

Capt. [Not recognizing her.] On my faith, I am greatly flattered by your recollection, but really

Emma. What, don't you know your old playmate, Emma?

Capt. Is it possible! You, the darling little Emmy that I left a child, and who now, I must say, is a very charming young lady?

I am

Emma. [Pouting.] No, I am not a charming young lady; I am a very disagreeable, unhappy creature. sure I am very ugly.

Sleek. We are all then decided on making this appeal. We will establish a deputation in every parish-the petitions are in course of preparation;—and I trust I may be permitted to accompany your ladyship, and my philanthropic young friend, in their charitable round.

Lady C. Too happy, Mr. Aminadab Sleek, to be guided by your voice and encouraged by your presence -but we hope that another and a tenderer tie will soon bring our families more closely together. Your nephew, that pattern of special grace, that paragon of model propriety, will, before long, obtain the hand

Sleek. [Aside. And the fortune

Lady C. And the worldly goods of our dear Emma,

the sister of our son-in-law.

What a

Mrs. T. And a happy girl Emma will be. gracious dispensation has been worked in her behalf! Had we never met Mr. Aminadab Sleek, we should still be on the brink of the precipice of vanity-but the great work will be now perfected, by the union of his nephew and Emma.

Lady C. Yes, heloved child, but let us not forget the important duty we have in hand. At twelve to-morrow morning we meet; our son-in-law will read to our assembled friends his address of benevolence,

then

and

Charles. [Aside.] At twelve to-morrow morning. I had rather have had a day's shooting.

Enter EMMA, L. D., fashionably dressed.

Emma. [Crosses to Mrs. Torrens.] Oh, dear! oh, dear! such capital news! he's come! he's come!

Lady C. Well! Miss Hoyden

Mrs. T. How can you be so glady, Emma; don't you see Mr. Aminadab Sleek, the mirror of piety-the champion of-hem!-the champion of-hem!

Emma salutes profoundly Mr. Sleek and Lady
Creamly, who regards her disdainfully.

Charles. [Aside.] Very pleasant all this; but I'll have a day's shooting, in spite of them.

Emma. Oh, Charles, he's come-yonr old friend-the friend of all the family. I caught a glimpse as he gave his card to Danvers, and 1 ran to tell you.

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Enter SERVANT, he presents card to Charles, Mrs. Torrens takes it, and hands it to Lady Creamly, who passes it to Sleek, who reads aloud.

Sleek. "Captain Murphy Maguire."

Charles. Maguire! my old friend Murphy-the best fellow in the world!-show him in, Danvers.

Lady C. A little moderation, son-in-law.

Mr. Sleek? Shall we, my child?

Sleek. A captain, and an Irishman !—um
Lady C. A libertine !

Shall we,

Charles. [Aside.] A fellow after my own heart. [Aloud.] He might have been so formerly, but he is now changed. He belongs to a serious regiment.

All. Oh!

[Lady Creamly, Mr. Sleck, and Mrs. Torrens, bow gravely to each other.

Lady C. Admit him.

Emma. How happy I am! I was a child when he saw me last, and I am now

Lady C. Still a child; you will please retire to your chamber-no remonstrance.

Mrs. T. Go, child! [Exit Emma, L. D., impatiently. Lady C. Receive your visitor, Mr. Charles Torrens. [Charles comes forward, the others retire to tables, and appear much occupied with the various papers.

Enter CAPTAIN Maguire, c.

Capt. My dear Charles!

Charles. In his natural manner.] What, Maguire !-my old friend! [Shakes his hand violently; the party at the back look on with contemptuous astonishment.] Why, it's an age since I have seen you!

Capt. Yes, my dear boy, an absence of four yearsCalcutta-West Indies-capital station-glorious cigars and whiskey toddy—a little tanned, eh? the steam of the gold, has spoiled the natural brilliancy of my complexion.

Charles. Still the same-the same gay, rollicking, soundhearted old fellow! Not married?

Capt. What me! bound in the rosy bonds of that young robber paddy Cupid? No, thank heaven!

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