(seeing the pocket-book) The pocket-book I made for Frederic

He chose the colour green; and when I ask'd
Him why, he rallied me, and said 'twould serve
To put him on his guard.

(takes it up) 'Tis open, and—Almighty Father, hide This moment in oblivion!- -Yet

yet

-(pauses in an agony of doubt) Can it be?—Yes,
I have been blind till now!

A rich, an ample treasure hidden here,
An avarice lurking in my Frederic's soul!
Avarice, false man, and perjury !—Until

This moment I have thought you lov'd me! What,
What shall support me now?-Pride, an indignant spirit!
There (laying the pocket-book on the table), I will tell
him he has lost my heart,

And (scornfully) left my rival here!

[exit

Enter, at another door, INFERENCE and MOONSHINE.

Inference. And Mr. Moonshine, your last figure,

trust me,

Was a mere sophism of composition :

Whence to converse on woman still, the best
Subject in nature for an argument.

Moonshine. Truly, for then we need not be confin'd To any one point, but at pleasure may

Veer with her round the compass.
Inference. Granted-But,

But how stands our discourse-stay, stay-methinks-
Yes, it stands thus :-

I broach'd the daring truth, that every woman
Was like to Nestor-In loquacity,

Retorted youMy next assertion, being
Her pliancy, you as abruptly carp'd at,
And swore her genius to severe restraint
Bent not, but like a form of potter's earth
Would grow more stubborn with opposing flame.

You us❜d a second simile, and thus:
Her will, when violently contraven❜d,
Must bear down all before it ;

But mild resistance will impair its force
As the calm air exhausts the cannon-ball,

Which would, mayhap, but little reverence him
Who'd stop it whizzing from the cannon's mouth.
Thus stands, sir, our discussion, and-

Enter LOOBIN unperceived.

Moonshine. (who, wholly inattentive to Inference, has been lingering about the room, discovers and lays his hand upon the pocket-book). Ah, ha!

Inference. Pray, Mr. Moonshine, what is that?
Moonshine. A pocket-book.

Inference. Its owner?

Moonshine. (reading Frederic's name on it). Seems

to me

One Frederic Worlace

-and what's that?

Inference. (having picked up a paper that fell from the pocket-book) I'll read it.

(Reads, while Moonshine examines the contents of the book and Loobin steals between them)

"A sacred trust held in charge for the only daughter of Mr. Mervin."

These are mere words-the substance is with you. (Turns, and starts at meeting Loobin's face instead of Moonshine's).

Moonshine. (half to himself) Ten thousand dollars! (turning, meets in silent dismay the countenance of Loobin.)

Loobin. Gentle folk, you pause.

Is it I that interrupt you? -With your leave, sir (to Moonshine)

That pocket-book-and (to Inference) with yours, Mr. Barebones,

That paper too--Ho, Tiger, Tiger, Tiger.

Moonshine. Who is it you are calling, sir?
Loobin. The house-dog;

He will devour you at a meal, you vagrants.
In these unseemly rags and caitiff-phizes
How found you your ways hither? or how dar'd
You enter without knocking? (whistles).
Moonshine. We beseech you

Spare our lean carcasses.

Inference. And the poor house-dog's teeth.
Loobin. Well, well, away.

7

Moonshine. (approaching the door, and apart to Inference) Fright and an empty stomach

Foretell my dissolution!

Inference. Dear Mr. Moonshine,

I tremble so for your sake!

Moonshine. And I for yours!

(Loobin whistles again) Again he whistles! Oh! Inference. (catching Moonshine's arm) Your arm, your arm,

Inestimable friend!

Moonshine. (shaking him off) Zounds, I have much

Ambert. Was there not some noise?

Loobin. I was endeavouring, sir, to fright two vagrants

Who were, I know not with what purpose, prying Into this pocket-book and slip of paper (gives them to Ambert, the pocket-book still open).

Amb. (looking at the name) It is the English youth's you will return it (A bundle of notes falls as he closes the pocket-book, and is picked up and handed him by Loobin)

(reading a slip of paper with which they are held together) Ten thousand dollars! I believ'd him poor. Loobin. He always said he was.-The paper, sir, That first I handed you-forgive me-read it-'tis Mervin

There is a name

Amb. Ha!

(reading the paper) "A sacred trust held in charge for the only daughter of Mr. Mervin."

I thank thee!
Loobin. Sir,

-Great God!

-But where is my daughter?

Alas, you seem distress'd.

Amb. (goes to a table, and writes on a piece of papier, which with the notes, &c. he encloses in the pocket-book) Return-be quick

Return this to its owner!

Tell him not I have seen it!

On your life

Loobin. (taking the pocket-book) I'll obey.

Amb. Take, take it from my sight; or I shall lose My reason! (exit Loobin)-Reason!

Thou northern light, cold from an icy bosom,

Chill and assuage my fever-beating soul-or,

(addressing Heaven) Thou source of mercy, I will welcome madness,

If in my ravings I can see my children!

Re-enter LOUISA COURLAND.

[exit

Louisa Courl. Yes, on reflection, I will hide my

doubts,

And if he have one sentiment of love,

Extract the balsam from his soul, and heal

My aching spirit

Now, Hope, breathe once more,

Or, Indignation, lend me thy support!

Re-enter FREDERIC WORLACE.

Fred. Worl. Louisa, you are pale--that bosom's

form'd

To heave with love: why let it palpitate

With anguish? What has happen'd since I left you? Louisa Courl. (aside) How shall I answer him? Fred. Worl. What? speak, thou soul

Of sensibility. Have I seem'd cold

Of late because grown grave? A gay demean
May be the twin of an ennobling passion;
But your sweet sex are apt, too apt, to think
Them never disunited, and conceive
Light gallantry the only test of feeling :
For an ice-moulded mortal passes he
Whom a susceptive heart disturbs with fears,
Which stamp him a reserv'd, unwelcome guest
Among the fair creation that he loves;
While the deck'd, gallant, and impervious beau
Is thought entranc'd with every angel's form
Before which he mechanically flutters.
You, who have not this blindness of your sex,
Cannot approve it in them—If you can,
Why come, my love, the topic will amuse us,
Speak in their cause I can nowise divine
With what ingenious reason you'll uphold it.
Louisa Courl. Frederic, no!-

you seen them?

-The strangers, have

Fred. Worl. I could not find them.
Louisa Courl. Have you not a hope,

A single hope, to save me or my father?

Fred. Worl. I'll move this Ambert to a sense of pity. Louisa Courl. (looking him stedfastly in the face) Frederic!

Fred. Worl. My love?

Louisa Courl. Is there no other mean ?

Fred. Worl. Why urge the painful answer? There

is not.

Louisa Courl. But if you own'd the treasures of the

earth

Fred. Worl. To allay one pang that's beating there (pointing to her bosom) I would

Resign them all!