_Miss Alton._ [_Aside._] A very strange old man. [_To him, more confused._] Sir, you'll pardon me, I believe Miss Alscrip is waiting.

_Alscrip._ Don't be afraid, my dear, enchanting diffident (zounds, what a flutter am I in!) don't be afraid--my disposition, to be sure, is too susceptible; but then it is likewise so dove-like, so tender, and so innocent. Come, play me that tune, and enchant my ear, as you have done my eye.

_Miss Alton._ Sir, I wish to be excused, indeed it does not deserve your attention.

_Alscrip._ Not deserve it! I had rather hear you, than all the signoritininies together.--These are the strings to which my senses shall dance.

[_Sets the Harp._

_Miss Alton._ Sir, it is to avoid the affectation of refusing what is so little worth asking for.

[_Takes the Harp and plays a Few Bars of a lively Air.

ALSCRIP kisses her Fingers with rapture._

_Alscrip._ Oh! the sweet little twiddle-diddles!

_Miss Alton._ For shame, sir, what do you mean?

[_ALSCRIP gets hold of both her Hands and continues kissing her Fingers._

_Miss Alton._ [_Struggling._] Help!

_Enter Miss ALSCRIP._

_Miss Als._ I wonder what my papa is doing all this time?

[_A short Pause--MISS ALSCRIP surprised.--MISS ALTON confused.--ALSCRIP puts his Hand to his Eye._

_Alscrip._ Oh, child! I have got something in my eye, that makes me almost mad.--A little midge--believe.--'Gad, I caught hold of this young lady's hand in one of my twitches, and her nerves were as much in a flutter as if I had bit her.

_Miss Als._ [_Significantly._] Yes, my dear papa, I perceive you have something in your eye, and I'll do my best to take it out immediately----Miss Alton, will you do me the favour to walk into the drawing room?

_Miss Alton._ I hope, madam, you will permit me, at a proper opportunity, to give my explanation of what has pa.s.sed?

[_Retires._

_Miss Als._ There's no occasion--Let it rest among the catalogue of wonders, like the Glas...o...b..ry thorn, that blooms at Christmas.----To be serious, papa, though I carried off your behaviour as well as I could, I am really shocked at it--A man of your years, and of a profession where the opinion of the world is of such consequence--

_Alscrip._ My dear Molly, have not I quitted the practice of attorney, and turned fine gentleman, to laugh at the world's opinion; or, had I not, do you suppose the kiss of a pretty wench would hurt a lawyer? My dear Molly, if the fraternity had no other reflections to be afraid of!

_Miss Als._ Oh! hideous, Molly indeed! you ought to have forgot I had a christened name long ago; am not I going to be a countess? If you did not stint my fortune, by squand'ring yours away upon dirty trulls, I might be called your grace.

_Alscrip._ Spare your lectures, and you shall be called your highness, if you please.

_Enter SERVANT._

_Serv._ Madam, Lady Emily Gayville is in her carriage in the street, will your ladyship be at home?

_Miss Als._ Yes, show her into the drawing room. [_Exit SERVANT._]

I entreat, sir, you will keep a little more guard upon your pa.s.sions; consider the dignity of your house, and if you must be cooing, buy a French figurante.

[_Exit._

_Alscrip._ Well said, my lady countess! well said, quality morals! What am I the better for burying a jealous wife? To be chicken pecked is a new persecution, more provoking than the old one--Oh Molly! Molly!--

[_Exit._

SCENE II.

_The Drawing Room._

_MISS ALTON, alone._

_Miss Alton._ What perplexing scenes I already meet with in this house?

I ought, however, to be contented in the security it affords against the attempts of Heartly. I am contented--But, O Clifford! It was hard to be left alone to the choice of distresses.

_Enter CHIGNON, introducing LADY EMILY._

_Chignon._ My Lady Emily Gayville--Madame no here! Mademoiselle, announce, if you please, my lady.

_Lady E._ [_Aside._] Did my ears deceive me? surely I heard the name of Clifford--and it escaped in an accent!--Pray, sir, who is that?

[_To CHIGNON._

_Chignon._ Mademoiselle Alton, confidante of my lady, and next after me in her suite.

[_Examines her Head Dress impertinently. MISS ALTON with great modesty rises and puts her Work together._

_Lady E._ There seems to be considerable difference in the decorum of her attendants. You need not stay, sir.

_Chignon._ [_As he goes out._] Ma foi, sa tete est pa.s.sable--her head may pa.s.s.

_Lady E._ [_Aside._] How my heart beats with curiosity! [_MISS ALTON having disposed her things in her Work Bag, is retiring with a Courtesy._]

Miss Alton, I am in no haste. On the contrary, I think the occasion fortunate that allows me to begin an acquaintance with a person of so amiable an appearance. I don't know whether that pert foreigner has led me into an error--but without being too inquisitive, may I ask if you make any part of this family?

_Miss Alton._ Madam, I am under Miss Alscrip's protection: I imagine I am represented as her dependent: I am not ashamed of humble circ.u.mstances, that are not the consequences of indiscretion.

_Lady E._ That with such claims to respect you should be in any circ.u.mstances of humiliation, is a disgrace to the age we live in.

_Miss Alton._ Madam, my humiliation (if such it be) is just. Perhaps I have been too proud, and my heart required this self-correction.

A life of retired industry might have been more pleasing to me; but an orphan--a stranger--ignorant and diffident, I preferred my present situation, as one less exposed to misrepresentation. [_Bell rings._]

I can no longer detain Miss Alscrip from the honour of receiving your ladyship.

[_A respectful Courtesy, and exit._

_Lady E._ There is something strangely mysterious and affecting in all this----what delicacy of sentiment--what softness of manners! and how well do these qualities accord with that sigh for Clifford! she has been proud--proud of what?--of Clifford's love. It is too plain. But then to account for her present condition?--He has betrayed and abandoned her--too plain again, I fear.--She talked too of a self-corrected heart--take example, Emily, and recall thine from an object, which it ought more than ever to renounce. But here come the Alscrip and her friend: lud! lud! lud! how shall I recover my spirits!

I must attempt it, and if I lose my present thoughts in a trial of extravagance, be it of theirs or my own, it will be a happy expedient.