(She trembles, turns round, sees Solace, runs towards him, and falls at his feet.)

Sol. (His head from her) Don't thee, Cicely,--don't thee make me look at thee; for if thee dost(turning gradually towards her) Dang it! he cannot grudge me one embrace! tho' no husband's, I have a father's right, and thus, and thus I do enforce it--(embracing her.)

Cice. (After a pause) And you forgive me?

Sol. Forgive thee! How could'st thee help it? The fault were all mine; for I did forget that this now were not a face for a pretty school girl to fall in love with.---And there be the infirmity of nature, Cicely: we do fancy we be always young and comely, and never think that beauty's but a flower! But, one thing I premise,---be'st sure he be no false, artful lover?

Cice. My life---my life upon his honour.

Sol. Enough---conclude the letter---bid him come directly---we'll have the wedding by return of post. Enter MODERN and SELINA.

Mod. (to Selina) Don't you fatigue yourself--I---I'll explain every thing.

Sol. What! Miss Selina in my house! Madam! (bowing low)

Mod. Not Miss Selina, my dear fellow! because 'tis in consequence of her being a married woman, that Sir Arthur has forbid her his house; and her husband being my friend, and your friend, and every body's friend

Sol. Indeed! Who be her husband?

Mod. Who, but Algernon St. Albyn!

Sol. Algernon St. Albyn !---I be glad on't---I be main glad he have saved her from that Mr. Danvers--and thee, Cicely, ---thee, who, like me, dost know, and dost respect my dear young master,---speak, --ben't she to be envied, Cicely?

Cice. (Who has shewn much previous agitation) She is---your arm---support me---I am quite faint--o'ercome--nothing, nothing else! (falling almost senseless on Solace's shoulder.)

Sol. No, nothing, Cicely,---and it be easily accounted for; her spirits have, of late, been so much harassed---but, pray go on, your welcome news will cheer her, and revive her.

Cice. (Starting up) Oh, yes!---'twill do me good--pray, pray, proceed.

Sel. Nay, you've heard all, except that, till tomorrow, when I expect St. Albyn will arrive, I hope that I may call this house my own.

Sol. To be sure; and thank thee for thy company ---and Cicely will also thank thee, and I'll tell ye this---you won't be long the only new married woman in this part of the world, will she, Cicely? And so, come, come, and partake my humble fare.

Sel. Most willingly.

Mod. (In a melancholy tone) Mrs. St. Albyn! Mayn't I go with you, Mrs. St. Albyn?

Sel. I am sure you have my leave; for I feel much indebted to your kindness.

Sol. Then I'm sure he have my leave; and, after dinner, I'll tell you what new jokes I play'd off against my would-be master.

Mod. Tell me new jokes! Lead on! I'll follow you to the world's end.

(Solace exit with Selina)

Madam,---(offering his hand to Cicely)

Cice, I'll come---I'll follow,

(Modern bows and exit.) if I can! St. Albyn married! After all his vows, the husband of another! And, now, that other to make this her home? 'Tis well, 'tis very well! And I, the object of seductive passion, must stay, and witness his connubial joys! No, let me rather perish---let me fly--

Sol. (without) Why, Cicely! Cicely!

Cice. Ha! that soothing, friendly voice staggers my resolution! Yet, if I stay, 'tis but to prove he's wronged in friendship, as in love ;---and, if I go, the suffering's all my own!---'tis fixed, my resolution's fixed! And, spite of all this treacherous husband's arts, still truth and honour, like two vivid stars, shall guide, and cheer me through the gloom!

Sol. (without) Why, Cicely! Cicely!
Cice. I come! I come!

[Exit.

END OF THE SECOND ACT,

ACT

ACT III.

SCENE L-An Apartment in Solace's house.

Enter SELINA.

Selina.

UPON my word, there is no end to this Mr. Modern's civility; for he is now gone for me to St. Albyn castle, and altogether he is such a strange, insinuating creature, that I wonder whether his attentions have proceeded wholly from friendship for Algernon, or partly from attachment for Attachment! for whom? Oh, fie, fie, Selina! dismiss such light and trivial thoughts! Where is my host, and that sweet interesting girl? Poor Cicely! your smothered sighs,-forced smiles,-and wild expressions, betray such latent, hidden anguish, that, though a stranger to the cause, I feel most anxious to relieve it.

Enter SOLACE, hastily.

Solace. Not here either!-No where to be found! Mrs. St. Albyn, I do hope thou be'st happy I do hope the person, on whom thee hast fixed thy affections-but, thank heaven! thee be'st happy.-Thy husband will never forsake thee.

Sel. Forsake!-Speak, what has happened? Sol. Nothing, but what might, perhaps, have been worse. She might have died under this roof, and I might have seen her in sickness, and in suf

fering;

fering; but I shall be spared that affliction ;-I shall never, never see Cicely alive or dead now!. Sel. Not see Cicely!

Sol. No; she be gone!-eloped!-And after I had given her free leave to break her promised vows to me, and marry him that she preferred! But it be a day of trouble, and this ben't my first heavy calamity. That, that be some comfort, Mrs. St. Albyn.

Sel. Marry! whom?-Know you his name?

Sol. No; she did artfully cnnceal it; but this I do know, they had their private meetings, and if he prove,-look ye, if he do prove to be a villain !Sel. He is, 'tis evident and to preserve her from his snares, lose not a moment; for, perhaps, e'en now, she's sighing for that friend, who still I'm confident, must sigh for her.

Sol. I do I do ;-but how, and where be I to find her? However, certainly not here-So I'll take thy advice, and if I should o'ertake them, and she call him by the name of husband, why, I'll just offer him my hand, and smile, and be content; but if I learn that he have other views, though he be tall and mighty as a giant, dang it! 1 grasp him till he own that, as true happiness do flow from women, so he be but a fool, who knows not how to cherish and protect her. (going) Good night !—Good night!

Sel. Success attend you! And if St. Albyn should arrive in time, he will be proud to aid you, and console you.

Sol Oh, yes!-and he-would he fay snares to mar domestic happiness? No, were all like him, I should not now be driven from my home, to---but, 'rat en the day be not yet over, and that misfortunes oft be blessings in disguise, I know full well ;— for, never did my heart sink low as it be now, but something did turn up to make it bound beyond its former height. And there's my hope.--Spare, and forgive my present selfish grief, and when I do

come