by a fine name, but my aunt Winifred-old Winifred Winbuttle, the housekeeper! Very well-I cou'dn't say or unsay this, you know; so I directly gets leave of my Lord to come myself, and stare about; for thinks I, if I am made a fool of, I'm only where I was, you know. [With affected simplicity.

Oliver. Certainly, or worse; for to suppose I'll stay chattering here about Solomon and Winifred, proves, if not quite, that you are very near an idiot. [Going.

Chris. (taking his arm). Very-I'm very near an idiot! And yet, do you know, upon my honour, Solomon described every thing!—from aunt Winifred, and her great title, down to the Gothic latch'd gate, and the little twaddling old butler who open'd it he did--and if I could but once -(looking about)-only just once-(seeing the chateau)-Why, that's it! by Solomon's description, that must be the very house, that the gate, and you-he! he! he!-Come, I'm no fool now! Icod, I see who you are.

Oliver (standing before the door). Dolt! booby! I leave you to your folly! But I would have you know, there are none in this house, none but the Marchioness Alberti, the Countess of Roland— Chris. Who?

Oliver. The Countess of Roland, and her niece Ulrica; so that's your final answer from the little twaddling old butler.

[Exit into the chateau.

Chris. (strutting, &c.) 'Tis she!--Aunt Winifred, by law, takes a Countess's title; and I pshaw! I'm like other great people, I'll take any thing!-Not so-some threescore hungry, ragged

relations, they'll take possession of that beautiful tenement (pointing to the Chateau); and Ulricasweet Ulrica-will take possession of this beautiful tenement (himself). And then-Oh, my dear Christopher! how you do long for the wed ding day!

SONG-CHristopher.

I,

I'll tap at her door when the morning shall break,
And with the first lark I'll be singing;

I'll whisper quite soft, "Now, my dear love, awake,
For the church bells are merrily ringing.

The bridegroom, impatient, no longer can rest:
"The bridemen and bridemaids quite smartly are drest ;
"The drums and the fifes so cheerily play,
"The shepherds all chaunt a gay roundelay;
"With garlands of roses fair damsels advance,
"The young and the old partake in the dance;

"Such mirth and such rapture never were known ; "I'm surpris'd that so long you will tarry:

"I prithee, Ulrica-prithee, come down; "For the sport of all sports is-to marry."

II.

When home we return, we'll sit down to feast,
Our friends shall behold us with pleasure;
She'll sip with my Lord-I'll drink with the Priest,
We'll laugh and we'll quaff without measure.
The toast and the joke shall go joyfully round,
With love and good-humour the room shall resound
The slipper be hid-the stocking let fall,
And rare blindman's-buff shall keep up the ball;
Whilst the merry spinette, and the sweet tambourine,
Shall heighten and perfect the gay festive scene.
Such mirth and such rapture never were known,
I'm surpris'd that so long you will tarry :

I prithee, Ulrica-prithee, come down ;
For the sport of all sports is-to marry.

D

[Exit into Chateau.

SCENE III.

A splendid Gothic Hall in the BARON'S Chateau. Large folding Doors in the Centre. Two State Chairs are brought on by Two of the BARON'S Servants.

Enter RAVENSBUrg.

Ravens. To-day, to swear the dire terrific oath, "and on to-morrow be the nuptials solemnized." In all-in all-must Ravensburg be sacrificed?He must-his father has committed him! pledged by his promise to accept the fair Ulrica's hand, shall I, perchance, destroy her prospects and her hopes, by basely now retracting? No-tho' love for Agnes occupies my breast, still is there room for honourable feeling! and be the conflict great as was the last, that feeling shall prevail! This hand shall be Ulrica's;-unless--there! there's my hope! Now, at the banquet, she besought a private interview; and whilst the festive scene engages all, I've stolen forth to give her here the meeting. What, what would she impart ?-And why delay? Oh, were her tidings welcome, she would not thus withhold them!

Enter AGNES, hastily, not seeing RAVENSBURG.

Agnes. I cannot comprehend! the Prince to gaze on me with such emotion! wildly exclaim, "the sight of her is hateful!" and, with the Baron, leave the banquet, to be told the whole of my sad history-'Tis well! I shall not suffer by

the truth; for, as I guess, mine is a story to excite more of compassion than resentment.

Ravens. Agnes! speak-what of the Prince ? Agnes. Nothing, my Lord; he would know' my story, would be told that I, an infant, friend-' less, fatherless, was nursed and cherished by the Baron Ravensburg, who, like the rest, of late' has met me with such altered looks!-but 'tis of late! for years he called me his adopted child; and you, my benefactor's son, bear witness, I banish from my mind the present change, and dwell with gratitude on past affection.

Ravens. 'Tis his new friend, this artful, envious Countess! Till she became your foe

Agnes. I know; and how have I offended? Still I've endeavour'd to obey and please her, and her niece, the fair, the happy-Sir, I forget -I came by her desire-the Countess having heard of her intention, will not allow of any private interviews, and therefore 'tis Ulrica's wish, that, as to-morrow is the nuptial day, the day which blesses her, but which-(bursts into tears)-I can no more-Spare! Spare! and pity me!

Ravens. Proceed! for, if I know Ulrica's heart, you are not messenger of any tidings ungracious to yourself.

Agnes. Indeed, I know not-She was, as she has ever been, most kind and most compassionate; but, to her wish-she begs you will comply with what is here requested-Take it-giving him a letter) and the hard office o'er, 'farewell until to-morrow! And then, no sister's prayers did e'er more pure and fervent flow, than mine shall then, for yours and your Ulrica's happiness.

Ravens. (Having opened the letter). Stay! (Reading). "Shall I accept his hand, whose

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"heart I perceive to be another's? And can I "wish him to accept mine, who, from early "education, am better suited to a far more humble "sphere? No, generous Ravensburg! Remon"strate with your father, and increase the esteem "of Ulrica, by wiping away tears, which flow "from, silent, genuine passion! Hearts such as yours and Agnes,' can best reward each other." Exalted woman! I will remonstrate with my fa ther-now, instantly, and come what will, no nuptials shall be solemnized, but those which love shall crown (taking her hand)—if you refute not what Ulrica writes.

Agnes. My Lord, 'twere affectation to deny what this our mutual and unequall'd friend has now revealed; but for the rest! if I am worthy of the son's affection, remember, that I owe it to the father; and great, however great the sacrifice, still would I rather meet that son's displeasure, than plant a sting in the protecting breast, that warm'd and nourished a forsaken Orphan.

Ravens, My father will relent! Hark! he comes! the banquet o'er, new revelry succeeds, and now I can partake its joys. Come, the hope that dawns shall lead to lasting sunshine.

Enter the BARON's Train, and the PRINCE'S Train. The PRINCE and BARON last, and together.

Prince (Aside to the Baron). tory? You have imparted all?

That is her his

Baron. That-that is Agnes Lindorf's story.
Prince. And none-none know it!

Baron. None-I've kept it secret, even from herself; because, at first, the circumstance ex