DELAYS AND BLUNDERS.

ACT I.

SCENE I.—Outfide of County Gaol--Houfes and Trees representing the Street in a country Towna Bridge in the Centre, and extensive open Country behind it-Stage partly darken'd-LAURETTA ST. ORME feen croffing the Bridge with a Basket in ber band,

Enter LAURETTA.

HARK ARK! (looking back alarmed) it was the found of feet!-I'm watch'd-I am difcover'd! (falls against the wing) Oh Heavens! my rafh imprudent zeal has ruin'd all-no-(recovering) 'twas but fancy-nothing but the paffing breeze and I may venture to proceed.-I know -I'm fure that he'll condemn me; but 'tis a long, long month fince I have heard what paffes in that dark abode-perhaps his health may fuffer by confinement-perhaps his poverty denies him e'en life's common comforts-perhaps-Oh! the fuspenfe is infupportable! and I were not the daughter that he thinks me, if I endur'd it calmly(knocks at the prison gate)—I will but afk, and then again to my retreat.

1

GAOLER (Speaking through iron grating). Who's there at this time of the morning? Lauretta. One to enquire after Mr. St. Orme. Gaoler. St. Orme!-the prifoner, confin'd for murder?

Lauretta. Aye: as 'tis faid, for murder!

Gaoler. You can't fee him-begone. (Retiring.) Lauretta. Stay, Si-spare me but a momentI will not afk to fee him-I only ask that you will give him this. Taking a small paper parcel out of basket.)-'tis a fmall prefent from a ftranger meant to revive and cheer him-nay ;-if he be guilty, he the more needs confolation-the virtuous fly to confcience for relief-but where !-Oh! where, can fuch as you defcribe St. Orme, seek comfort or repofe ?-then be merciful-and in the hour of distress, you fhall have your reward.

Gaoler. Well I'll take it. (Opens grating--takes parcel-buts it again, and exit.)

Lauretta. Thanks-thanks !and yet thofe prifon gates-Oh! that they'd open wide, and once more give a father to my arms !-then fhould my humble talents ftill affift him-then would we feek again that hapless mother, who needs a huf band's and a daughter's aid.-But thefe are idle hopes the dreaded hour approaches!-the day of trial is at hand!-Oh fpare him!-fpare him Hea

yen!

Enter GAOLER from the gate.

Gaoler. So, instead of reviving the prifoner, your prefent threw him into violent agitation-and here (producing a letter)-he fends you this

answer.

Lauretta. (Reading it afide.) "You have done very wrong-return inftantly to your retreat in

"the

"the mountains; and never forget that you alone "were prefent at the murder-that there's no "other witness to convict me; 'tis for your fake "and your unfortunate mother's that I wish to "live-Conceal yourself but four days longer, " and we may ftill meet and ftill be happy!". Oh! let me fly to my retreat! Tell him I cheerfully obey his wishes, and thank him for his counfel. (GAOLER exit, and LAURETTA going up Stage, ftops on feeing it lit.)-Ha! the morning breaks, and the broad glare of day will lead to my discovery!-unfeen to reach the mountains is impoffible!-weak, thoughtless girl!—to risk so much for selfish-momentary joy!What's to be done? I know-hard by, there is a thick impervious wood-there, I'll fecrete myfelf 'till night, and then fet forth again-and if thy fafety rests on my concealment, fear not, my father !-we will be happy ftill. [Exit.

Enter STERNLY and two Servants of Sir EDWARD DELAUNY'S.

Sternly. Come-buftle-to your daily occupation lads-search every where for the witness, and recollect how near 'tis to the affizes.

Ift Servant. We do.-But when you recollect 'tis now five months fince Sir Frederick's death, and that we've hunted for this Mifs Lauretta every day

Sternly. Aye, plague on her, fhe got all this knowledge of tricks, fhifts, and difguifes, from turning ftage player-but the prefent baronet is bent upon revenge, and that the trial may be properly conducted, he expects this very morning a great London Solicitor-one Mr. Poftpone-fam'd for integrity and talent-and if our only evidence be not forth coming, how can even he affist us!—

fo away-lose not a moment, whilft I wait his arrival at the inn. (Servants exeunt.)—Yes, yes; I must look about me like Sir Edward, for if Mr. St. Orme don't fuffer, I fancy fomebody else will.

HENRY SAPLING (without).

There!—there, you rogues!

Sternly. Hah!-Who comes here?-Surely not the London lawyer already. (Looks out.) No-as I live, Mr. Henry Sapling! who has been at sea these four years the nephew of my old neighbour. -I wonder whether he's the fame unfufpicious, fimple youth he us'd to be.

Enter HENRY SAPLING in a naval uniform, followed by two Poft boys.

Henry. (His purse in his hand.) There-that's for the chaife and four-and here-here's a guinea for yourselves. (Exeunt Poft-boys.)-What, Sternly! -my old acquaintance Sternly !-why, how you ftare and gape.I dare fay, now, you think this extravagant travelling.

Sternly. To be fure I do.

Henry. Well it's very likely-but I'm just come from fea, to touch a legacy; and, between ourfelves-we failors are fo unus'd to accounts and economy, and-in fhort, I feel money fuch a load to me, that I fee I fhan't fail pleafantly till I've chuck'd it all overboard.-But, I fay-how's nunky?

Sternly. Oh!-quite a new man fince you faw him. Why 'tis but a fortnight ago, he married Sir Edward's cousin.

Henry. Married is he?-Thank fortune!-So am not I, Malter Steward.

Sternly. Why thank fortune?-I think I could recommend a wife to you, Mr. Sapling.

Henry.

Henry. Whole wife?-Not nunky's I hope. Sternly. No-his ward-the lovely Mifs Honoria, who was brought up with you.

Henry. Pha--don't talk of it-fhe's a charming creature!-but a wife !--do you know, Sternly, in all the ftorms and battles I've encounter'd, that was my confolation-fays I-"never mind-blow on my boys!-you're nothing to the gales of matrimony."-No-give me quiet-independencegive me Lady Senfitive.

liberty

Sternly. Lady Senfitive !-Who's Lady Senfitive?

Henry. Mum-fay nothing-met her at the Opera-pick'd up her fan-handed her to her low chariot-receiv'd her card-call'd next morningneat house in Mary-le-bone-green blindsflower-pots-finging birds-black boys-white liveries-and fhe and her maid fo fashionably drefs'd, that, upon my honour, all their clothes put together only weigh'd two ounces three fcruples.

Sternly. Pha-this is a trick-fhe'll lead you into diffipation.

Henry. No-fhe'll make me domeftic-fhe's fo fond of me, that if perchance I dine at the coffeehouse, the fends me twenty meffages before the cloth's remov'd-and if I don't return at the moment the expects me-poor foul! fhe goes into a fit!-yes, he does-I find her fcreaming, and the whole houfe fwimming with hartfhorn, laudanum, and cordials-there's tendernefs !-there's love for you!

Sternly. Love with a vengeance !-but prayabout the load?-(pointing to the pocket.)-Don't The help you to chuck fome of it overboard?

Henry. No-there's the worst of her-fhe's fo proud, and fo difinterefted, that, except now and then allowing me to pay her coachmaker, and her upholsterer