Mrs. H. Did he say so indeed, Lucy? Did Mr. Fabricio say so? If it had been our Indian Cousin, Mr. Francis, I should not, indeed, have been so much surprised, for the girl seems absolutely to have turned his grey head. -That curl a little more over the left eye, Lucy.

Lu. But he'll be quite in another story when he sees your laship to-day, I'll be bound for it. There's a head for you, do but please to look, Madam.

Mrs. H. 'Tis not much amiss.-And now, Lucy, go to that closet and fetch me the head that came yesterday. (Lucy goes to the closet and brings a scull from it.) This is the scull of a Georgian slave, which Fabricio was so. kind as to procure for me-what beauty, what sublimity, is there in the form! O deserted palace of the soul!

Lu. Lord bless me, you learned folks have such odd fancies for my part, I can't, for the life of me, look at it; the sight of such a thing makes me remember death. I'm sure if I had half as many empty heads about my room as your laship has, I should never dream of any thing but grubs and worms-O Lord!

Mrs. H. If my head were as naked as this, I flatter myself it would not be less beautiful. Let me compareYes, the measures are exact, and so Fabricio assured me; he said it was the very model of my own scull. The owner of this charming relic sung like a nightingale, danced to perfection-Yes, Fabricio is right; my propensities, but for a cruel destiny, would have led me to have done the same. Why was I not taught to sing in my youth, I might then have excelled this Georgian slave. But hold-what do I see! Lucy, was ever such a numscull as thou art— this is not the head of the Georgian slave, but that of a baboon.

Lu. A baboon! surely, Ma'am, that's impossible; for your laship said but just now that 'twas exactly like your

own.

Mrs. H. Hold your impertinent tongue, or-but I hear somebody on the stairs: go and see who it is, Lucy. (Lucy goes out and returns.) Lu. "Tis Mr. Warren, Ma'am; he begs to speak with your laship on business of importance.

Mrs. H. He is welcome; show him in.

Lu. (as she goes out.) More money for us, but we must take care that he does not see Miss Emily.

(She goes out and returns with Warren.) Mrs. H. Good morning, Mr. Warren; you have business with me, you say-leave us, Lucy. [Exit Lucy. War. Which you will easily divine, Madam. I was informed yesterday by Sir James O'Ryan, that you were in immediate want of a thousand pounds, and had honored me so far as to desire my assistance in the matter. I was eager therefore to wait upon you without delay, to assure you how much I rejoice in any opportunity of rendering a service to Mrs. Harley.

Mrs. H. I am extremely obliged, Mr. Warren, by this fresh instance of your politeness. Fabricio was well inspired when he suggested the addressing myself to you rather than to my husband: not but that Mr. Harley must have approved the motives which make me desire the

money.

War. No one can doubt the excellence of Mrs. Harley's motives.

Mrs. H. My secrecy proceeds solely from delicacy to my cousin, Sir James O'Ryan. The money is to relieve him from a temporary embarrassment under which he labors through some roguish practices of his steward in Ireland.

War. To whom I shall feel myself eternally obliged, since he has afforded me an opportunity of showing my devotion to Mrs. Harley.

Mrs. H. That is truly gallant, Mr. Warren.

War. Yet much as I might wish not to lessen my little merits in your eyes, Madam, I must be compelled to own, that my services are not wholly disinterested. I have a suit

Mrs. H. How, Sir! I scarcely understand you-what can you mean?

War. Pardon me, Madam, I know that I have no claim, no hope, but from your candor, your compassion,-no excuse for my presumption but a passion which I cannot resist, and the rare beauty and accomplishments of the object of it; and could I but engage you

Mrs. H. Mr. Warren, do you know to whom you speak? Do you consider what and who I am?

War. Alas, Madam, love such as mine cannot consider

-I know, I feel that my presumption is great; I have perhaps gone too far, yet how resist the temptation of endeavouring to secure the favor of one who has it so much in her power to promote my interests with Miss Emily.

Mrs. H. What do I hear? Miss Emily! All these high-flown compliments were then addressed to the daughter of my husband! Indeed, Miss Emily may be proud of her conquest.

War. To whom else could Mrs. Harley suppose them addressed? she could not surely suspect me of wishes more presumptuous.

Mrs. H. "Tis well, Sir, at least I perfectly understand you now; but if I have any interest with my husband in recommending a son-in-law to his choice, believe me that interest will not be employed for Mr. Warren.

[Enter LUCY.]

Lu. Madam, breakfast is ready.
Mrs. H. I attend.

War. (Goes up to her and says in a half-whisper) may I hope for pardon, Madam?

Mrs. H. Oh certainly, Sir; there can be no offence to me in your loving Miss Emily. The men are all crazy after the girl, I think. [Exeunt Mrs. Harley and Lucy, the latter makes signs to Warren to wait there, and that she will return.]

War. (alone) That interest will not be employed for Mr. Warren. Very well, Madam, then believe me, the thousand pounds will not be advanced by Mr. Warren : and believe too, that without your interest, Miss Emily will be possessed by Mr. Warren. He has an advocate so powerful in the affections of his charmer, that all others may well be dispensed with, an elopement is a thing to which a handsome young fellow can at all times easily persuade a girl of spirit. (Lucy returns.)

Lu. What an indiscretion, Mr. Warren: how could you think of coming hither? what can you have got in your head?

War. I had business of importance both with Mr. and Mrs. Harley, and above all I wished for a private interview with my lovely Emily-haste then, Lucy, and conduct me to her; the moments are precious.

Lu. How often will you force me to repeat that you must wait with patience for some favorable moment, and

not pretend to rush upon her in such a hasty and abrupt

manner.

War. There is nothing hasty or abrupt in what I ask. You have long promised me an interview with my lovely girl-all her letters express an ardent desire to see me, and the happy moment is now arrived when our mutual wishes may be accomplished.

Lu. Impossible! My young mistress is at breakfast with the family, and cannot be seen; but rely on my cares, and on the interest I take in your concerns-the interest for your happiness, I mean, for interest of any other kind is wholly a stranger to my heart.

Wur. Oh I know very well that you are perfectly disinterested. Here, there is something to induce you to `maintain your disinterestedness. (gives her a purse.)

Lu. Such an inducement is irresistible-Depend upon me, Sir.

War. To procure me at this moment an interview with my_Emily.

Lu. Impossible, I say. (aside) How I wish that I had the letter.

War. Lucy, you torture me-have I not reason to fear some deceit? Ought I to believe what you say? May 1 rely on the attachment of my lovely girl?

Lu. Indisputably.

War. May I indeed believe she loves me?

Lu. Immeasurably.

War. Will she listen with favor to a proposal I wish to make her?

Lu. Incontestibly.

War. Would she be ready to adopt an easy plan for hastening our union?

Lu. Infallibly.

War. Has she resolution to take a bold and decisive step? Lu. Immediately.

War. I am satisfied, incomprehensibly. Then, Lucy, it only remains to impart my plan

[Enter JOHN.]

John. (giving Warren the letter which he and Lucy had written.) Miss Emily charged me, Sir, to send you this letter in the course of the day, and I am happy now to deliver it into your own hands.

War. Oh, these are indeed her lovely characters. (he reads) "Illusions of sleep-sensations truly deliciouswrite then often-" Transporting words -No, no, here can be no deceit. Lucy, I must see her, though but for a moment.

Lu. Impossible, I say: will you never be satisfied! Go to the Plough Tavern, there write what you have to say, and in an hour or two I will come for the letter.

John. Which I hope won't cost you as much trouble as the last letter cost me. (to Warren) Has Lucy told you of my misfortune, Sir?

War. No, indeed, she has not.

John. I was obliged to stay very late in town that day, so that in coming home I was stopped, and robbed of what you had been so good as to give me, and into the bargain I had my arm almost broke in defending your letter, which the robbers suspected had notes in it.

War. I understand-here's to repair your loss. (gives him money) But another time contrive to go home earlier. (aside) The harpies! I trust, however, there will soon be an end of it.

John. I assure you, Sir, I don't desire to be late; there's nothing so agreeable in being robbed.

War. And so, Lucy, I am positively not to see Miss Emily?

Lu. Positively not. Write as I bid you, and depend upon my coming for the letter.

War. Well, since it must be so, and, Luey, as you present the letter, urge my Emily, with all thy force, with all thy eloquence, urge her to consent to the plan which it will propose. If you succeed, your fortune is made as well as my own.

Exit.

Lu. So, I am glad we are rid of him at last. I thought he never would have taken himself away. As sure as can be, this affair will some day bring us into a fine I know of but one way to put an end to it, and that is, to spirit up Clermont to an elopement with Miss Emily.

scrape:

John. Which will not be an easy matter: he talks so much of his honor, and the obligations he owes to Mr. Harley, that he'll have ten thousand scruples about taking such a step.

Lu. Very true: strange that he cannot lay aside his