SCENE I. _An Apartment at Sir_ Luke'_s_.

_Enter_ Elvirus _and_ Aurelia.

_Elvirus._ Oh my Aurelia! since the time I first saw you--since you left the pleasant spot, where I first beheld you; what distress, what anguish have we known?

_Aur._ Your family?

_Elv._ Yes--and that caused the silence which I hope you have lamented.--I could not wound you with the recital of our misfortunes --and now, only with the sad idea that I shall never see you more, I am come to take my leave.

_Aur._ Is there a chance that we may never meet again?

_Elv._ There is--and I hope it too--sincerely hope and request it--to see you again, wou'd be again to behold my father pining in misery.

_Aur._ Explain--[_A loud rapping at the door._] that is, Sir Luke, and Lady Tremor--what shall I say, shou'd they come hither? they suspect I correspond with some person in the country--who shall I say you are? upon what business can I say you are come?

_Elv._ To avoid all suspicion of my real situation, and to be sure to gain admittance, I put on this habit, and told the servant, when I inquired for you, I was just arrived from England--[_She starts._] nay, it was but necessary I should conceal who I was in this suspicious place, or I might plunge a whole family in the imputed guilt of mine.

_Aur._ Good Heaven!

_Elv._ I feared, besides, there was no other means; no likelihood to gain admission--and what, what wou'd I not have sacrificed, rather than left you for ever without a last farewell? think on these weighty causes, and pardon the deception.

_Aur._ But if they should ask me--

_Elv._ Say, as I have done--my stay must be so short, it is impossible they shou'd detect me--for I must be back--

_Aur._ Where?

_Elv._ No matter where--I must be back before the evening--and would almost wish never to see you more--I love you, Aurelia--O, how truly! and yet there is a love more dear, more sacred still.

_Aur._ You torture me with suspense--Sir Luke is coming this way--what name shall I say, if he asks me?

_Elv._ Glanmore--I announced that name to the servant.

_Aur._ You tremble.

_Elv._ The imposition hurts me--and I feel as if I dreaded a detection, though 'tis scarce possible--Sorrows have made a coward of me--even the servant, I thought, looked at me with suspicion--and I was both confounded and enraged.

_Aur._ Go into this apartment; I'll follow you--there we may be safe--and do not hide the smallest circumstance which I may have to apprehend. [Elvirus _exit at a door_.

_Sir Luke._ [_Without._] Abominable! provoking! impertinent! not to be borne!

_Aur._ [_Listening._] Thank Heaven, Sir Luke is so perplexed with some affairs of his own, he may not think of mine.--[_Exit to_ Elvirus.

_Enter Sir_ Luke, _followed by Lady_ Tremor.

_Sir Luke._ I am out of all patience--and all temper--did you ever hear of such a compleat impertinent coxcomb? Talk, talk, talk, continually! and referring to me on all occasions! "Such a man was a brave General--another a great Admiral," and then he must tell a long story about a siege, and ask me if it did not make my bosom glow!

_Lady._ It had not that effect upon your face, for you were as white as ashes.

_Sir Luke._ Aye, you did not see yourself, while he was talking of grandfathers and great grandfathers--if you had--

_Lady._ I was not white, I protest.

_Sir Luke._ No--but you were as red as scarlet.

_Lady._ And you ought to have resented the insult, if you saw me affected by it--Oh! some men wou'd have given him such a dressing--

_Sir Luke._ Yes, my dear, if your uncle the frisseur had been alive, he wou'd have given him a dressing, I dare say.

_Lady._ Sir Luke, none of your impertinence; you know I can't nor won't bear it--neither will I wait for Lord Flint's resentment on Mr. Twineall--No, I desire you will tell him to quit this roof immediately.

_Sir Luke._ No, my dear--no, no--you must excuse me--I can't think of quarrelling with a gentleman in my own house.

_Lady._ Was it your own house to day at dinner when he insulted us? and would quarrel then?

_Sir Luke._ No--that was a friend's house--and I make it a rule never to quarrel in my own house--a friend's house--in a tavern--or in the streets.

_Lady._ Well, then, I would quarrel in my own house--a friend's house--a tavern--or in the streets--if any one offended _me_.

_Sir Luke._ O, my dear, I have no doubt of it--no doubt, in the least.

_Lady._ But, at present, it shall be in my own house,--and I will tell the gentleman to quit it immediately.

_Sir Luke._ Very well, my dear--pray do.

_Lady._ I suppose, however, I may tell him I have your authority to bid him go?

_Sir Luke._ Tell him I have no authority--none in the world over you--but that you will do as you like.

_Lady._ I can't tell him so--he won't believe it.

_Sir Luke._ Why not? you often tell me so, and _make_ me believe it too.

_Lady._ Here the gentleman comes--go away for a moment.

_Sir Luke._ With all my heart, my dear. [_Going in a hurry._

_Lady._ I'll give him a few hints, that he must either change his mode of behaviour, or leave us.

_Sir Luke._ That's right--but don't be too warm--or if he should be very impertinent, or insolent--(I hear Aurelia's voice in the next room) call _her_, and I dare say she'll come and take your part. [_Exit Sir_ Luke.

_Enter_ Twineall.

_Twi._ I positively could pass a whole day upon that stair-case--those reverend faces--I presume they are the portraits of some of your Ladyship's illustrious ancestors.

_Lady._ Sir! Mr. Twineall--give me leave to tell you--[_In a violent passion._

_Twi._ The word illustrious, I find, displeases you--pardon me--I did not mean to make use of so forcible an epithet--I know the delicacy of sentiment, which cannot bear the reflection that a few centuries only shou'd reduce from royalty, one, whose dignified deportment seems to have been formed for that resplendent station.

_Lady._ The man is certainly mad!----Mr. Twineall--

_Twi._ Pardon me, Madam--I own I am an enthusiast on these occasions--the dignity of blood--

_Lady._ You have too much, I am sure--do, have a little taken from you.

_Twi._ Gladly wou'd I lose every drop that fills these plebeian veins, to be enobled by the smallest----

_Lady._ Pray, Sir, take up your abode in some other place.

_Twi._ Madam! [_Surprised._

_Lady._ Your behaviour, Sir--

_Twi._ If my friend had not given me the hint, damn me if I shou'd not think her down right angry. [_Aside._

_Lady._ I can scarce contain my rage at being so laugh'd at. [_Aside._

_Twi._ I'll mention the wig----this is the time--[_Aside._] Perhaps you may resent it, Madam--but there is a favour--

_Lady._ A favour, Sir! is this a time to ask a favour?

_Twi._ To an admirer of antiquity, as I am.

_Lady._ Antiquity again!

_Twi._ I beg pardon----but----a wig, Ma'am--

_Lady._ A what? [_Petrified._

_Twi._ A wig. [_Bowing._

_Lady._ Oh! oh! oh! [_Choaking._] this is not to be borne--this is too much--ah! ah! [_Sitting down, and going into fits._] a direct, plain, palpable, and unequivocal attack upon my family--without evasion or palliative.--I can't bear it any longer.--Oh! oh!--[_Shrieking._

_Twi._ Bless my soul, what shall I do? what's the matter?

_Sir Luke._ [_Without._] Maids! maids! go to your mistress--that good-for-nothing fellow is doing her a mischief.

_Enter_ Aurelia.

_Aur._ Dear Madam, what is the matter?

_Enter Sir_ Luke, _and stands close to the scenes_.

_Lady._ Oh! oh! [_Crying._

_Sir Luke._ How do you do now, my dear?

_Twi._ Upon my word, Sir Luke--

_Sir Luke._ O, Sir, no apology--it does not signify--never mind it--I beg you won't put yourself to the trouble of an apology--it is of no kind of consequence.

_Lady._ What do you mean, Sir Luke? [_Recovered._

_Sir Luke._ To shew proper philosophy, my dear, under the affliction I feel for your distress.

_Lady._ [_To_ Aurelia.] Take Twineall out of the room.

_Aur._ Mr. Twineall, her Ladyship begs you'll leave the room, till she is a little recovered.

_Twi._ Certainly. [_Bows respectfully to her Ladyship, and exit with_ Aurelia.

_Sir Luke._ I thought what you wou'd get by quarrelling--fits--and tears.

_Lady._ And you know, Sir Luke, if you had quarrelled, you wou'd have been in the same situation. [_Rising from her seat._] But, Sir Luke, my dear, Sir Luke, show yourself a man of courage but on this occasion.--

_Sir Luke._ My dear, I wou'd do as much for you as I wou'd for my own life--but damn me if I think I could fight to save that.

_Enter Lord_ Flint.

_Lord._ Lady Tremor, did the servant say you were very well, or very ill?

_Lady._ Oh, my Lord, that insolent coxcomb, the honourable Mr. Twineall--

_Lord._ Oh, I am very glad you put me in mind of it--I dare say I shou'd have forgot it else, notwithstanding I came on purpose.

_Lady._ Forgot what?

_Lord._ A little piece of paper here, [_Pulling out a parchment._] but it will do a great deal--has he offended you?

_Lady._ Beyond bearing.

_Lord._ I am glad of it, because it gives double pleasure to my vengeance--he is a disaffected person, Madam--boldly told me he doubted the Sultan's right to the throne--I have informed against him, and his punishment is at my option--I may have him imprisoned; shot; sent to the gallies; or his head cut off--but which does your Ladyship chuse?--Which ever you please is at your service. [_Bowing._

_Lady._ [_Rising and curtsying._] O, they are all alike to me; which ever you please, my Lord.

_Sir Luke._ What a deal of ceremony!--how cool they are about it.

_Lord._ And why not cool, Sir; why not cool?

_Sir Luke._ O, very true--I am sure it has froze me.

_Lord._ I will go instantly, for fear it shou'd slip my memory, and put this paper into the hands of proper officers--in the mean time, Sir Luke, if you can talk with your visitor, Mr. Twineall, do--inquire his opinion of the Sultan's rights--ask his thoughts, as if you were commissioned by me--and, while he is revealing them to you, the officers shall be in ambush, surprise him in the midst of his sentiments, and bear him away to--[Twineall _looking in_.

_Twi._ May I presume to inquire how your Ladyship does?

_Lady._ O, yes--and pray walk in--I am quite recovered.

_Lord._ Lady Tremor, I bid you good day for the present.

_Sir Luke._ [_Following him to the door._] Your Lordship won't forget?

_Lord._ No--depend upon it, I shall remember.

_Sir Luke._ Yes--and make some other people remember too. [_Exit Lord_ Flint.

_Twi._ Is his Lordship gone? I am very sorry.

_Sir Luke._ No--don't be uneasy, he'll soon be back.

_Enter_ Haswell.

_Sir Luke._ Mr. Haswell, I am glad to see you.

_Has._ I told her Ladyship I would call in the evening, Sir Luke; and so I have kept my word--I wanted too to speak with my Lord Flint, but he was in such a hurry as he passed me, he wou'd hardly let me ask him how he did.--I hope your Ladyship is well this afternoon. [_Bows to_ Twineall--_Sir_ Luke _exit at the door to_ Aurelia _and_ Elvirus.

_Twi._ Pardon me, Mr. Haswell, but I almost suspect you heard of her Ladyship's indisposition, and therefore paid this visit; for I am not to learn your care and attention to all under affliction.

_Has._ [_Bows gravely._] Has your Ladyship been indisposed then?

_Lady._ A little--but I am much better.

_Twi._ Surely, of all virtues, charity is the first! it so protects our neighbour!

_Has._ Do not you think, Sir, _patience_ frequently protects him as much?

_Twi._ Dear Sir--pity for the poor miserable--

_Has._ Is oftener excited than the poor and miserable are aware of. [_Looking significantly at him._

_Sir Luke._ [_From the room where_ Aurelia _and_ Elvirus _are_.] Nay, Sir, I beg you will walk into this apartment--Aurelia, introduce the gentleman to Lady Tremor.

_Lady._ Who has she with her?

_Has._ Aurelia!--O! I have not seen her I know not when--and besides my acquaintance with her relations in England, there is a frank simplicity about her that--

_Enter Sir_ Luke, Aurelia, _and_ Elvirus.

_Sir Luke._ You shou'd have introduced the gentleman before--I assure you, Sir, [_To_ Elvirus.] I did not know, nor shou'd I have known, if I had not accidentally come into the room. [Haswell _starts, on seeing_ Elvirus.

_Sir Luke._ [_To Lady_ Tremor.] A relation of Aurelia's--a Mr. Glanmore, my dear, just arrived from England; who call'd to pass a few minutes with us, before he sets off to the part of India he is to reside in. [Elvirus _and_ Aurelia _appear in the utmost embarrassment and confusion_.

_Lady._ I hope, Sir, your stay with us will not be so short as Sir Luke has mentioned?

_Elv._ Pardon me, Madam, it must--the caravan, with which I travel, goes off this evening, and I must accompany it.

_Has._ [_Aside._] I doubted before; but the voice confirms me. [_Looking on_ Elvirus.

_Lady._ Why, you only arrived this morning, did you, Mr. Glanmore? you came passenger in the same ship, then, with Mr. Twineall?

_Twi._ No, Madam--Sir, I am very sorry we had not the pleasure of your company on board of us. [_To_ Elvirus.

_Sir Luke._ You had;--Mr. Glanmore came over in the Mercury--did not you tell me so, Sir? [Elvirus _bows_.

_Twi._ Bless my soul, Sir! I beg your pardon--but surely that cannot be--I got acquainted with every soul on board of us--every creature--all their connections--and I can scarcely suppose you were of the number.

_Sir Luke._ [_Aside._] How impertinent he is to this gentleman too! O! that I had but courage to knock him down.

_Elv._ [_To_ Twineall.] Perhaps, Sir--

_Aur._ Yes, I dare say, that was the case.

_Twi._ What was the case, Madam?

_Sir Luke._ Wha--wha--wha--[_Mimicks._] that is not good breeding.

_Has._ Why do you blush, Aurelia?

_Aur._ Because [_Hesitating._] this gentleman----came over in the same ship with Mr. Twineall.

_Sir Luke._ And I can't say I wonder at your blushing.

_Twi._ Why then positively, Sir, I thought I had known every passenger----and surely--

_Lady._ Mr. Twineall, your behaviour puts me out of all patience--did you not hear the gentleman say he came in the same vessel; and is not that sufficient?

_Twi._ Perfectly, Madam--perfectly--but I thought there might be some mistake.

_Elv._ And there is, Sir--you find you are mistaken.

_Lady._ I thought so.----

_Has._ [_To_ Elvirus.] And you _did_ come in the same vessel?

_Elv._ Sir, do _you_ doubt it?

_Has._ Doubt it?

_Elv._ Dare not doubt it.--[_Trembling and confused._

_Has._ Dare not?

_Elv._ No, Sir, dare not. [_Violently._

_Aur._ Oh, heavens!

_Sir Luke._ [_To_ Aurelia.] Come, my dear, you and I will get out of the way. [_Retiring with her._

_Lady._ O, dear!--for heaven's sake!--Mr. Twineall, this is your doing.

_Twi._ Me, Madam!----

_Has._ I beg the company's pardon--but [_To_ Elvirus.] a single word with you, Sir, if you please.

_Lady._ Dear Mr. Haswell----

_Has._ Trust my prudence and forbearance, Madam--I will but speak a word in private to this gentleman.--[Haswell _takes_ Elvirus _down to the bottom of the stage; the rest retire_.

_Has._ Are you, or are you not, an impostor?

_Elv._ I am--I am--but do not you repeat my words--Do not _you_ say it. [_Threatening._

_Has._ What am I to fear?

_Elv._ Fear _me_--I cannot lie with fortitude; but I can----Beware of me.

_Has._ I _will_ beware of you, and so shall all my friends.

_Elv._ Insolent, insulting man.--[_With the utmost contempt._

_Lady_ Tremor _and the rest come down_.

_Lady._ Come, come, gentlemen, I hope you are now perfectly satisfied about this little nonsense.--Let us change the subject.--Mr. Haswell, have you been successful before the Sultan for any of those poor prisoners you visited this morning?

_Sir Luke._ Aye; Meanright told me he saw you coming from them with your long cloak; and said he shou'd not have known you, if somebody had not said it was you.

[Elvirus _looks with surprise, confusion, and repentance_.]

_Lady._ But what success with the Sultan?

_Has._ He has granted me the pardon and freedom of any six I shall present as objects of his mercy.

_Lady._ I sincerely rejoice.--Then the youth and his father, whom you felt so much for, I am sure, will be in the number of those who share your clemency.

[Haswell _makes no reply, and after a pause_]--

_Elv._ [_With the most supplicatory tone and manner._] Sir--Mr. Haswell--O, heavens!

_Sir Luke._ Come, Mr. Haswell, this young man seems sorry he has offended you--forgive him.

_Lady._ Aye, do, Mr. Haswell--are you sorry, Sir?

_Elv._ O! wounded to the heart--and, without his pardon, see nothing but despair.

_Lady._ Good heavens!

_Has._ Sir Luke, my Lord Flint told me he was coming back directly--pray inform him I had business elsewhere, and cou'd wait no longer. [_Exit._

_Elv._ O! I'm undone.

_Lady._ Follow him, if you have any thing to say?

_Elv._ I _dare_ not--I feel the terror of his just reproach.

_Lady._ Did you know him in England?

_Aur._ Dear Madam, will you suffer me to speak a few words----[_Aside to Lady_ Tremor.

_Sir Luke._ Aye; leave her and her relation together, and let us take a turn in the garden with Mr. Twineall.--I'm afraid his Lordship will be back before we have drawn him to say more on the subject, for which he will be arrested.

_Lady._ You are right.

_Sir Luke._ Mr. Twineall, will you walk this way?--That young lady and gentleman wish to have a little conversation.

_Twi._ O, certainly, Sir Luke, by all means. [_Exeunt Sir_ Luke _and Lady_.

[_To_ Elvirus.] I am extremely sorry, Sir, you kept your bed during the voyage: I shou'd else have been most prodigiously happy in such good company. [_Exit._

_Aur._ Why are you thus agitated? It was wrong to be so impetuous--but such regret as this----

_Elv._ Hear the secret I refused before--my father is a prisoner for life.

_Aur._ Oh, heavens! then Mr. Haswell was the only man----

_Elv._ And he had promised me--promised me, with benevolence, his patronage--but the disguise he wore when I first saw him, led me to mistake him now--made me expose my falsehood, my infamy, and treat his honour'd person with abuse.

_Aur._ Aye; let his virtues make you thus repent; but let them also make you hope forgiveness.

_Elv._ Nay, he is just, as well as compassionate--and for detected falsehood----

_Aur._ You make me tremble.

_Elv._ Yet he shall hear my story--I'll follow him, and obtain his pity, if not his pardon.

_Aur._ Nay, supplicate for that too--and you need not blush, or feel yourself degraded, to _kneel_ to HIM, for he wou'd scorn the pride that triumphs over the humbled. [_Exeunt._