Y. Rup. A what? A quarrel. Dam'me, I'll settle that in two minutes. [Running off Vor. Stop. You need not go out of the room for that. Y. Rap. What! will you quarrel with me? eh!-With all my heart.

Vor. Me! oh, no!-I say, I could get you such fame-
Y. Rap. How, my dear fellow? Dash on.

Vor. Why, at dinner, you reflected on the Baronet.
Y. Rap. No, it was you.

Vor. No, not I.

Y. Rap. Yes, it was you.

Vor. Well, it might be I; but I don't say it was.
Y. Rap. I do-push on.

Vor. Young Stanley has demanded the author. Now, if you were to own the words, how the newspapers would teem with, "The elegant Sir Charles Stanley was called out by the dashing Young Rapid, about some trifle." Y. Rap. Bravo!

Vor. Any thing does for a duel now-a-days.

Y. Rap. Say no more; I'll do it. By heavens, no man of fashion shall be more famous. I'll go write to him directly.

Vor. First, take another bottle of champagne. You can't think what a free dashing style it will give you.

Y. Rap. I will. [Going-returns.] No, I can't take up this quarrel.

Vor. Oh dear! Why not?

[Alarmed. Y. Rap. Because I'm sure I'm depriving you of a plea

sure.

Vor. Oh, don't mind me! I give it you, to shew my regard for you. Indeed, I've had so much fighting in my time, that with me it really ceascs to be a pleasure-the sweetest things will cloy-so the quarrel's yours; I wash my hands of it.

Y. Rap. You're a damn'd good-hearted, generous fellow! Vor. Then you'll return triumphant, and marry my daughter.

Y. Rap. To be sure-keep moving. [Going.] I hope he'll fight directly. Like a sailor, I hate a calm, particularly when an enemy's in sight. Hold! what must we fight with? I can fence.

Vor. You have no objection to pistols and bullets?

Y. Rap. I like bullets-they come so quick. But must push on; the other bottle, and then-I'm a firstrate fellow. Champagne for ever!

[Exit, R.

Vor. You shall have my pistols ;-they've never been used.

Enter MISS Vortex, l.

Here's policy. "Crown me, shadow me with laurels."
Oh, my dear, I've achieved two such difficult points!
Miss Vor. (L.) How, my dear Nabob?

Vor. (R.) In the first place, I've persuaded Young Rapid to marry you.

Miss Vor. Was that so difficult?

Vor. No, no, certainly. But the next will delight you. Rapid is going to have an affair of honour with Young Stanley.

Miss Vor. A duel! and about me?

Vor. Yes. [Aside.]. I may as well tell her so.

Miss Vor. Charming!

Vor. Now, a'n't I a kind father, to set too young men fighting about you?

Miss Vor. Ah! that is, indeed, acting like a parent!
Vor. Egad, I must look after Rapid, though.

Miss Vor. But how did you manage it?

Vor. By policy, to be sure; for as I observe in my speech Policy is

Miss Vor. And a very good observation it is.

Vor. How do you know, till you hear it ?" Policy—” Miss Vor. But pray go to Mr. Rapid.

Vor. "Policy-"

[Pushing him off, R.

Miss Vor. Nay, I must insist--[Exit Vortex, R.] Oh, delightful!-Oatland!

Enter JESSY, L.

I'm in such uncommon spirits, Oatland!

Jes. (L.) May I inquire the cause, madam

Miss Vor. (R.) Certainly. A duel is going to be fought

about me.

Jes. A duel!-horrible thought!

Miss Vor. Seusibility, I vow!-Too comic, a vast deal! Ha ha! Cottage pathos must proceed from a source unknown to me, I'm sure!

Jes. It proceeds, madam, from the heart.

Miss Vor. Umph! Let me have no more of it.

[Sharply

Jes. I beg your pardon-I forgot the extent of a servant's

duty. I forgot that servants have no right to feel pleasure or pain, but as their employers please; and that suppressing the sensibilities of nature is considered in their wages. [Sarcastically.

Miss Vor. No doubt of it. That's so very sensibly observed, that I'll forgive you, Oatland. The pride of young Stanley will be so humbled

Jes. Is the safety of that noble youth implicated?

Miss Vor. What! a lover, I suppose-came to the farm, I warrant-attended Miss Jessy in the dairy-ruffled the cream with his sighs-talked of Arcadia, and sipped buttermilk. Ha ha! I should not wonder, after what I have seen of his taste. Yes, he is implicated-I dare say Mr. Rapid will [Going.

Jes. Heavens! Is Edward

Miss Vor. Edward!

[Catching hold of a chair for support.

Jes. I mean, madam, [Trembling and curtseying.] is Mr. Rapid's life involved?

Miss Vor. Upon my honour, you seem to have an uncommon sensibility for all mankind! Do you mean to șit down in my presence? [Exit Miss Vortex, R, Jes. No, madam! [Sinks down in the chair.] Oh, Edward! unkind as thou art, how gladly would I. resign my life, to save thee!

Enter ELLEN, L.

Ell. (L.) In tears, Jessy?-Sweet girl, tell me

[Weeps.

i Jes. (R.) Oh, madam ! the most dreadful event is about to take place. Mr. Stanley is engaged in a duel with

Ell. Forbid it, heaven! Let us fly to his father :-he may prevent it.

Jes. Alas, madam! I fear he regards not his father's injunctions.

Ell. Not regard his father!-Who, child?

Jes. Mr. Rapid, madam.

Ell. Mr. Rapid!

Jes. Oh!

[Hiding her face.

Ell. Is it so, sweet Jessy? But has he deserved thy love? Is he not unkind?

Jss. Oh! true, madam !—But is not his life in danger? Ell. We will not lose a moment.-Let us seek Sir Hubert.

Jes. I'm very faint.

Ell. I'll support thee. Come, rest on my arm.

Jes. Oh, such kindness!-I cannot speak-but indeed my heart feels it. [Exeunt, Ellen supporting Jessy, L.

Enter YOUNG RAPID, followed by FRANK, who carries pistols, a sword, and champagne, R.

Y. Rup. (L.) Got the pistols, eh?

Fra. (R.) Here they be. [Lays them down.] Your feyther were axing for you, sur.

Y. Rap. My father!- Should any thing happen-when I reflect Reflect-Zounds, that won't do. Some champagne! [Singing.] "If a man can die niuch bolder with brandy." [Drinks.] I'll write to him, however ; -a few words on a scrap of paper may cheer him. [Takes a letter out of his pocket, and is about to tear a piece of it off] What! [Reads.] "Dear Edward, your faithful Jessy Oatland." [Strikes his head.] Jessy Oatland! What a scoundrel I am! [Kisses the letter.] Oh, Jessy, what an infernal pain at my heart!-More champagne !

Enter JOHN, L.

John. (L.) A letter, sir, from young Mr. Stanley.

Y. Rap. (c.) Then the die is cast. [Reads.] "You are a scoundrel-meet me immediately, or- Um, um, a short decisive letter enough. Damn this pain.—Quick! my pistols! Take them to Stanley park: there wait for me. Oh, Jessy!

Enter OLD RAPID, at the back, L. U. E.

Fra. Ecod, he'll kill thee.-I'll lay half-a-crown 'Squire Stanley hits thee the first shot.

[Crosses, and exit Frank, with the pistols, L. 0. Rap. [Coming forward.] Pistols-kill-Stanley!Ned, tell me

Y. Rap. [Aside.] My father here.—Oh, sir, nothing. Come, drink.

O. Rap. Look at me.-Ah! that agitation!-Tell me the cause!-A parent commands you. Your old doating father entreats it.

Y. Rap. [Aside.] I must deceive him.-Sir, I've received an insult that no gentleman of fashion can submit to. O. Rap. Gentleman of fashion! Need a man resent it? Y. Rap. Read that letter, and judge.

O. Rap. Lack-a-day!-consider, you're only a tailor's son. [Reads.] "You're a scoundrel."That's a hard word

Y. Rap. Would you have me submit to be called scoundrel?

O Rap. No, I would'nt. [With tears.] Yes, I would. Y. Rap. Sir, you don't feel like a man.

0. Rap. I'm sure I feel like a father.

Y. Rap. Read on, sir.

O Rap. [Reads.]" And unless" [Wipes the tears away.] "unless”—I can't

Y. Rap. [Takes the letter, and reads.] "And unless you immediately give me the satisfaction of a gentleman, expect the chastisement due to a coward."

O. Rap. Chastisement!

Chastisement!- Coward!

[With irrtiation.] We are flesh and blood, Ned.

Y. Rap. Would you see me spurned?

0. Rap. [Emphatically, and running into his son's arms.] No!

Y. Rap. Pray leave me, sir.

O. Rap. Where shall I go?-What shall I do?-What will become of me? Oh, boy, try to avoid it.-Remember your old father-remember, his life hangs on your's. But, Ned-don't forget you're a man!

Y. Rap. Pray leave me, sir.

O. Rap. I will. Farewell, my dear boy: 'twill break my old heart. But remember you're a mau, Ned. [Exit, L. Y. Rap. [Alone.] So, I'm proceeding full tilt to murder; have planted a dagger in a kind father's heart. Oh, this infernal pain! Could I with honour avoid?-but[Looking at the letter.]—Chastisement! Coward-Damnation! I must push on. Fool! Dolt! Villain that I am! [Exit, L.

SCENE II-A retired place in Stanley Park.

Enter SIR HUBERT STANLEY, L. U. E.

Sir Hub. Surely, through that laurel grove, I see two female figures glide along; my eyes are not of the best, and the sorrow I have felt for my dear boy has not strengthened them-they approach

Enter ELLEN and JESSY, L,

Ell. (c.) Pardon, Sir Hubert, this intrusion !-My name, sir, is Ellen Vortex.

Sir Hub. (R.) Madam, I welcome you as my daughter. Ell. Oh, sir!—the urgency of the moment will not