Lord G. No, for there is nothing new in being disappointed in a friend.
Blandish. Have you told your story to Mr. Clifford?
Lord G. I have, and I might as well have told it to the cynic my uncle: he could not have discouraged or condemned me more.
Blandish. They are both in the right. I see things exactly as they do – but I have less fortitude, or more attachment than others: – The inclinations of the man, I love, are spells upon my opposition.
Lord G. Kind Blandish! you are the confidant I want.
Blandish. What has happened since your discovery in the closet?
Lord G. The lovely wanderer left her lodgings the next morning – but I have again found her – she is in a house of equal retirement, but of very different character, in the city, and inaccessible. I have wrote to her, and knowing her to be distressed, I have enclosed bank bills for two hundred pounds, the acceptance of which I have urged with all the delicacy I am master of, and, by Heaven! without a purpose of corruption.
Blandish. Two hundred pounds, and Lord Gayville's name —
Lord G. She has never known me, but by the name of Mr. Heartly. Since my ambition has been to be loved for my own sake, I have been jealous of my title.
Blandish. And pr'ythee by what diligence or chance, did Mr. Heartly trace his fugitive?
Lord G. By the acuteness of Mr. Prompt, your valet de chambre. You must pardon me for pressing into my service for this occasion, the fellow in the world fittest for it. – Here he comes.
Prompt. Are you alone, my lord?
Lord G. Don't be afraid, Prompt – your peace is made.
Prompt. Then there is my return for your lordship's goodness. [Giving the Letter.] This letter was just now brought to the place appointed, by a porter.
Lord G. By a Cupid, honest Prompt, and these characters were engraved by the point of his arrow! [Kissing the Superscription.] "To – Heartly, Esq." Blandish, did you ever see any thing like it?
Blandish. If her style be equal to her hand-writing —
Lord G. If it be equal! – Infidel! you shall have proof directly. [Opens the Letter precipitately.] Hey-day! what the devil's here? my bills again, and no line – not a word – Death and disappointment, what's this!
Prompt. Gad it's well if she is not off again – 'faith I never asked where the letter came from.
Lord G. Should you know the messenger again?
Prompt. I believe I should, my lord. For a Cupid he was somewhat in years, about six feet high, and a nose rather given to purple.
Lord G. Spare your wit, sir, till you find him.
Prompt. I have a shorter way – my life upon it I start her myself.
Blandish. And what is your device, sirrah!
Prompt. Lord, sir, nothing so easy as to bring every living creature in this town to the window: a tame bear, or a mad ox; two men, or two dogs fighting; a balloon in the air – (or tied up to the ceiling 'tis the same thing) make but noise enough, and out they come, first and second childhood, and every thing between – I am sure I shall know her by inspiration.
Lord G. Shall I describe her to you?
Prompt. No, my lord, time is too precious – I'll be at her last lodgings, and afterwards half the town over before your lordship will travel from her forehead to her chin.
Lord G. Away then, my good fellow. He cannot mistake her, for when she was formed, nature broke the mould.
Blandish. Now for the blood of me, cannot I call that fellow back; it is absolute infatuation: Ah! I see how this will end.
Lord G. What are your apprehensions?
Blandish. That my ferret yonder will do his part completely; that I shall set all your uncle's doctrine at nought, and thus lend myself to this wild intrigue, till the girl is put into your arms.
Lord G. Propitious be the thought, my best friend – my uncle's doctrine! but advise me, how shall I keep my secret from him for the present? 'Faith, it is not very easy; Sir Clement is suspicion personified: his eye probes one's very thought.
Blandish. Your best chance would be to double your assiduities to Miss Alscrip. But then dissimulation is so mean a vice. —
Lord G. It is so indeed, and if I give into it for a moment, it is upon the determination of never being her husband. I may despise and offend a woman; but disgust would be no excuse for betraying her. Adieu, Blandish; if you see Prompt first, I trust to you for the quickest communication of intelligence.
Blandish. I am afraid you may – I cannot resist you. [Exit Lord Gayville.] – Ah! wrong – wrong – wrong; I hope that exclamation is not lost. A blind compliance with a young man's passions is a poor plot upon his affections.
SCENE III
Mrs. Sagely's House.
Mrs. Sagely. Indeed, Miss Alton, (since you are resolved to continue that name) you may bless yourself for finding me out in this wilderness. – Wilderness! this town is ten times more dangerous to youth and innocence: every man you meet is a wolf.
Miss Alton. Dear madam, I see you dwell upon my indiscretion in flying to London; but remember the safeguard I expected to find here. How cruel was the disappointment! how dangerous have been the consequences! I thought the chance happy that threw a retired lodging in my way: I was upon my guard against the other sex, but for my own to be treacherous to an unfortunate – could I expect it?
Mrs. Sagely. Suspect every body, if you would be safe – but most of all suspect yourself. Ah, my pretty truant – the heart, that is so violent in its aversions, is in sad danger of being the same in its affections, depend upon it.
Miss Alton. Let them spring from a just esteem, and you will absolve me: my aversion was to the character of the wretch I was threatened with – can you reprove me?
Mrs. Sagely. And tell me truly now; do you feel the same detestation for this worse character you have made acquaintance with? This rake – this abominable Heartly? – Ah, child, your look is suspicious.
Miss Alton. Madam, I have not a thought, that I will not sincerely lay open to you. Mr. Heartly is made to please, and to be avoided; I resent his attempts, and desire never to see him more – his discovery of me here; his letters, his offers have greatly alarmed me. I conjure you lose not an hour in placing me under the sort of protection I solicited.
Mrs. Sagely. If you are resolved, I believe I can serve you. Miss Alscrip, the great heiress, (you may have heard of the name in your family) has been inquiring among decayed gentry for a companion. She is too fine a lady to bear to be alone, and perhaps does not look to a husband's company as a certain dependence. Your musical talents will be a great recommendation – She is already apprized, and a line from me will introduce you.
Miss Alton. I will avail myself of your kindness immediately.
Prompt. [Without.] I tell you I have business with Mrs. Sagely – I must come in.
Mrs. Sagely. As I live here is an impudent fellow forcing himself into the passage!
Miss Alton. Oh Heaven! if Mr. Heartly should be behind!
Mrs. Sagely. Get into the back parlour; be he who he will, I'll warrant I protect you.