SCENE II.

_A Room at LYNX'S._

_Enter MRS. LYNX, R. H._

MRS. LYNX. The time has almost arrived that will either relieve me from the dreadful suspense that I now endure, or plunge me still deeper into misery; since yesterday I have scarcely uttered a word in his presence; I have religiously adhered to the resolution that I would not touch upon a subject that has so filled me with conflicting emotions; but to-day, in an hour, I shall know the worst; and if he _be_ the guilty one, that I am madly certain he is, his friends and the world shall know how I have been wronged, and for what purpose I have assembled them here.--(_Produces a letter._)--Were it not for tokens like these, I should almost think that I had ceased to charm--had ceased to be looked upon even with interest, by the meanest of earth's creatures; here is one that tells me he loves me; my husband once told me so, but then I was younger and had a free heart to give; that now, alas, is gone for ever; here is one who offers me wealth--splendour and affection--if I will forsake a husband that slights me--that torments and maddens me--what shall I do? I have now the means of revenge--of a full and bold revenge. Shall I use them but to awe my husband, or shall I listen, and so make him rue the day that he first roused my jealousy? But he may not be guilty--this girl may have no claim on him--beyond one of compassion or kindness. I may have suspected wrongly, and he may still have a lingering love for me, that may one day revive in all its early strength; and then were I to know him innocent--and myself the only guilty one, I should go mad--should die--should--oh, heaven help me.--(_She falls exhausted by her feelings, in a chair; MR. and MRS. DOVE heard, L. H._)

MRS. DOVE. Now, my dear Henry, mind your behaviour.

MRS. LY. Ah! those people have arrived; my husband has neither seen them, nor heard of their having been here. I shall watch him well when they first meet.

_Enter MR. and MRS. DOVE, L. H._

MRS. DOVE. Good day to you, Madam--I hope you find yourself in perfect health?

DOVE. (_Bowing._)--Good day, Madam, feel yourself pretty well?

MRS. DOVE. Henry, my dear, silence.

MRS. LY. I am obliged to you for being so faithful to your promise.

MRS. DOVE. 'Tis the height of ill-manners to disappoint one's friends in an _invite_ to dinner.

DOVE. And very stupid too--to refuse _wittles_.

MRS. DOVE. Henry, my dear--

DOVE. My darling, you never will let me talk.

MRS. DOVE. Not till you know how, my love.

DOVE. But my dear, if you don't let me practise, how am I ever to _en_quire the art?

MRS. DOVE. _Ac_quire, verb active, to gain; _in_quire, verb neuter, to ask questions--acquire the art.

DOVE. Acquire the _hart!_

MRS. DOVE. Don't aspirate, love.

DOVE. Oh, bother, dear.

MRS. LY. Let me beg of you not to allude to this young person till after dinner, I will then lead the conversation to that subject--and then I hope you will freely and truly state all that you may know respecting her.

_Enter LYNX, R. H._

LYNX. Emmeline, I--(_Seeing DOVE and his wife._)--What! the mystery is now clear--that woman has traced me--has told my wife, but my secret is safe.

MRS. DOVE. Ah, Mr. Lynx, how d'ye do?--surprised to see me here, no doubt?

LYNX. No, madam--no.

MRS. DOVE. 'Tis some time since we met.

LYNX. Almost a year, I think.

DOVE. Eleven months! I ought to know, because we warn't united when Mr. Lynx used to give me half a crown for----

MRS. DOVE. Henry--

MRS. LY. I was informed that you knew these good people?--(_To LYNX._)

LYNX. Oh yes, my dear--they are my very old friends.

MRS. LY. Then I am happy in being the cause of renewing a friendship that seems so warm on either side; come, Mr. Dove, lead me to the dining-room--our friends have arrived, no doubt. Mr. Dove, will you favour me with your arm?

DOVE. Eh!--(_Looking confused at his wife._)--What am I to do?

MRS. DOVE. Give Mrs. Lynx your arm.

MRS. LY. Lionel, will you bring Mrs. Dove?

LYNX. (_Offering his arm to MRS. DOVE._)--Certainly.

DOVE. (_Leading off MRS. LYNX, L. H._)--Well, I declare, this _is_ genteel life.

MRS. DOVE. Thank you, Sir, you are very kind.--(_LYNX leads off MRS. DOVE, L. H., CODDLE looks on R. H., quite pale._)

COD. I have been running all over the house to look for Lynx,--I thought I heard his voice here--how I tremble! he must know that Mr. and Mrs. Dismal have seen that wretched woman--though they have promised secrecy, yet I cannot expect they will be always silent.--(_Re-enter LYNX._)--Oh, my friend! I have been looking for you--they are all at dinner, but I can't eat in the state of mind I am in. Mr. and Mrs. Dismal saw you talking to her.

LYNX. To whom?

COD. The elderly lady in black.

LYNX. They did.

COD. Don't--don't look so astonished, you frighten me.

LYNX. They surely will not talk of it?

COD. They have promised to be secret, but what will be my feelings, in their presence!--when either of them speak, I shall die with apprehension.

LYNX. Leave it to me; we will see this woman to-morrow, and make some arrangement with her.

COD. I'll say any thing--do any thing--give any thing, only conceal the affair from my wife.

LYNX. Depend upon me--and be at peace. But be sure you do not equivocate in the question of this girl. The school-mistress with whom she lived is now here--at my very table. Remember! I, at your request, placed the girl under her care.

COD. Yes.

LYNX. Because you did not dare confess to your wife that you had incurred such a responsibility,--but now you are anxious to acknowledge her.

COD. What will Mary say?

LYNX. Remember, you have sworn it.

COD. I have, but tell me--who is this girl?

LYNX. That is a mystery that I dare not disclose, even to you.

COD. Bless me! what two reprobates we are.

LYNX. Come to the drawing-room, I must make some excuse for your leaving the table.--Now be bold.

COD. Yes, yes.

LYNX. Do not equivocate.

COD. No, no.

LYNX. On your moral courage depends your own safety, and my happiness.

COD. I know it, I know it.

LYNX. And the least appearance of timidity may ruin us; now, are you ready?

COD. Wait a moment.--(_Buttoning his coat up to his throat with great resolution._)--When I expect to be excited, I like to be guarded against taking cold--against the effects of draughts and currents of air. My courage is rising--it's up--now I'm ready--give me your arm--there, look at me! Did you ever see a finer illustration of desperate courage? Never.--Now to the field of action--to mortal strife--and death or victory.

_Exit, dragging off LYNX, L. H._