SCENE III.

_LADY EMILY's Apartment._

_LADY EMILY discovered, reading._

_Lady E._ It will not do. My eyes may run over a thousand subjects, but my thoughts centre in one. Ah! that sigh! that sigh from the fair sufferer this morning----I have found it echo in my own heart ever since.

_Enter SERVANT._

_Serv._ Madam, Mr. Blandish.

_Lady E._ Pooh! did you say I was at home?

_Serv._ Your ladyship gave no orders to the contrary.

_Lady E._ Show him in. [_Exit SERVANT._] I must take up my air of levity again--It is the only humour for a fellow who I sometimes allow to entertain me, but who can never get my esteem. I have more calls upon my affectation this unlucky day, than my real disposition would execute in a long life.

_Enter BLANDISH._

_Lady E._ Blandish, I am horridly peevish; have you any thing new to divert me?

_Blandish._ If you ask me for news, the latest is, that Clifford has been detected in a clandestine intercourse with the object of Lord Gayville's secret passion; that he has betrayed the confidence of his friend and patron, and actually carried her off. [_Aside._] Which, Gayville knows by this time, with all its aggravations, or Prompt has not been as active as he used to be.

_Lady E._ [_With Emotion._] Blandish, this is a poor project. Clifford treacherous to his friend? You might as soon make me believe Gayville dispassionate, my uncle charitable, or you ingenuous.

_Blandish._ His conduct does not rest upon opinion, but proof; and when you know it, you must think of him with aversion.

_Lady E._ Must I? Then don't let me hear a word more--I have aversions enough already--

[_Peevishly._

_Blandish._ It is impossible you can apply that word to one whose only offence is to adore you.

[_Kisses her Hand._

_Enter CLIFFORD._

_Cliff._ [_Aside, surprised._] Blandish so favoured?

_Lady E._ [_Aside._] Perverse accident: what mistakes now will he make!

_Blandish._ [_Aside._] The enemy has surprised me--but the only remedy in such emergences, is to show a good countenance.

_Cliff._ I fear I have been guilty of an unpardonable intrusion.

_Blandish._ Mr. Clifford never can intrude; but though you had not come so apropos yourself--Lady Emily will bear testimony, I have not spared my pains to remove any prejudices she might have entertained.

_Lady E._ Had you not better repeat in your own words, Mr. Blandish, all the obliging things you have said of this gentleman?

_Cliff._ It is not necessary, madam--if without robbing you of moments that I perceive are precious--

_Lady E._ Sir?

_Cliff._ I might obtain a short audience--

[_Looking at BLANDISH._

_Blandish._ [_Aside._] He's devilish impudent--but he cannot soon get over facts, and I'll take care the conference shall not be long. [_To LADY EMILY._]--Lady Emily; hear Mr. Clifford, and judge if I have misrepresented him--[_To CLIFFORD._] When you want a friend, you know where to find him.

[_Exit._

_Lady E._ This is an interview, Mr. Clifford, that I desire not to be understood to have authorized. It is not to me, you are accountable for your actions--I have no personal interest in them.

_Cliff._ I know it well.

_Lady E._ [_Peevishly._] Do not run away with the notion neither, that I am therefore interested in any other person's--You have among you vexed and disconcerted me, but there is not a grain of partiality in all my embarrassment--if you have any eyes, you may see there is not.

_Cliff._ Happy Blandish! your triumph is evident.

_Lady E._ Blandish, the odious creature--He is my abhorrence--You are hardly worse yourself in my bad opinion, though you have done so much more to deserve it.

_Cliff._ How cruel are the circumstances that compel me to leave you under these impressions!--nay--more--at such a time to urge a request, that during your most favourable thoughts of me would have appeared strange if not presumptuous.--This is the key of my apartment. It contains a secret that the exigency of the hour obliged me, against inclination or propriety, to lodge there. Should Sir Clement return before me, I implore you to prevent his discovery, and give to what you find within, your confidence and protection. Lord Gayville--but I shall go too far--the most anxious event of my life presses on me. I conjure you to comply, by all the compassion and tenderness nature has treasured in your heart--not for me--but for occasions worthy their display. Pray take it.

[_Gives the Key, which she receives with some reluctance and exit._

_Lady E._ Heigho!--It's well, he's gone without insisting on my answer: I was in a sad flutter of indecision. What mysterious means he takes to engage me in a confidence which I could not directly accept!--I am to find a letter, I suppose--the story of his heart--Its errors and defence--My brother's name, also--to furnish me with a new interest in the secret, and one I might avow--One may dislike this art, but must be sensible of his delicacy----Ah, when these two qualities unite in a man, I am afraid he is an overmatch for the wisest of us--Hark!--sure that is the sound of my uncle's coach--[_Looks out of the Window._] 'Tis he--and now for the secret--Curiosity! innate irresistible principle in womankind, be my excuse, before I dare question my mind upon other motives.

[_Exit._