great part the innocent occasion of it. Give me leave, then Mrs. Oak. I did not expect, indeed, to have found you here again. But however Har. I see the agitation of your mind, and it makes me miserable. Suffer me to tell the real truth. I can explain every thing to your satisfaction. Mrs. Oak. May be so--I cannot argue with you. Charles. Pray, madam, hear her for my sake— for your own- -dear madam! Mrs. Oak. Well, well--proceed. Har. I understand, madam, that your first alarm was occasioned by a letter from my father to your nephew. Rus. I was in a bloody passion, to be sure, madam ! -The letter was not over civil, I believe.—I did not know but the young rogue. had ruined my girl. But it's all over now, and so Mrs. Oak. You was here yesterday, sir? Rus. Yes; I came after Harriet. I thought I should find my young madam with my young sir, here. Mrs. Oak. With Charles, did you say, sir? Rus. Ay, with Charles, madam! The young rogue has been fond of her a long time, and she of him, it seems. Mrs. Oak. I fear I have been to blame. [Aside. Rus. I ask pardon, madam, for the disturbance I made in your house. Har. And the abrupt manner, in which I came into it, demands a thousand apologies. But the occasion must be my excuse. Mrs. Oak. How have I been mistaken! [Aside.]— But did not I overhear you and Mr. Oakly [TO HARRIET. Har. Dear madam! you had but a partial hearing of our conversation. It related entirely to this gentle man. Charles. To put it beyond doubt, madam, Mr. Russet and my guardian have consented to our marriage; and we are in hopes that you will not withhold your appro bation. Mrs. Oak. I have no further doubt--I see you are innocent, and it was cruel to suspect you--You have taken a load of anguish off my mind--and yet your kind interposition comes too late; Mr. Oakly's love for me is entirely destroyed. Oak. I must go to her Maj. Not yet!-Not yet! [Weeping. [Apart. [Apart. Har. Do not disturb yourself with such apprehensions; I am sure Mr. Oakly loves you most affectionately. Oak. I can hold no longer. [Going to her.] My affection for you, madam, is as warm as ever. My constrained behaviour has cut me to the soul-For it was all constrained-and it was with the utmost difficulty that I was able to support it. Mrs. Oak. O, Mr. Oakly, how have I exposed myself! What low arts has my jealousy induced me to practise! I see my folly, and fear that you can never forgive me. Oak. Forgive you! This change transports me! -Brother! Mr. Russet! Charles! Harriet! give me joy!- -I am the happiest man in the world! Maj. Joy, much joy, to you both! though, by the by, you are not a little obliged to me for it. Did not I tell you, I would cure all the disorders in your family? I beg pardon, sister, for taking the liberty to prescribe for you. My medicines have been somewhat rough, I believe, but they have had an admirable effect, and so don't be angry with your physician.. Mrs. Oak. I am indeed obliged to you, and I feelOak. Nay, my dear, no more of this. All that's past must be utterly forgotten. |