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Ell. You don't dislike female accomplishments?

Suck. Oh, no; they're like a second course-not necessary, but agreeable: but do you know that uncle and that Lunnoner are laying their heads together to part us.

Ell. Then perhaps, Bonny, if we were to lay our heads together, we might prevent them.

[He draws her towards him, and kisses her. Suck. And rather than part, I'll run away with you any morning you like.

Ell. Will you, indeed?

Suck. Yes, indeed, after breakfast.

Ell. Hush: I hear them; this way.

Suck. And we'll lay our heads together again.

[Exeunt, R.

SCENE II.A Parlour at Farmer Broadcast's.

Enter DAME BROADCAST, R. and Broadcast, L. Broad. [As he enters.] Come, come, wife! [He takes off his short smock frock, and puts on his coat, which has been hanging on a peg.] A mug of beer, directly! [Exit Dame, R.] Eight hours' ploughing, in a stiff clay, makes a man cruel limp and faintish.-[Wipes his forehead: enter Dame with beer, R.] Aye, there's heart and proof in this. [Drinks.] Where's George? At school, I suppose, idling his time in studying.

Dame. Ralph Broadcast, don't you be always worrying and taunting about the child's learning; it costs you nothing. Mr. Templeton, heaven bless him! pays for it; and I'm sure George grows quite politesome and mannerly.

Broad. What need he go to school for that, you old fool! I never was learnt manners.

Dame. That's true, Ralph! but improvement—

Broad. Oh, yes; there are rare improvements now a days! Why, I remember the time when I could get drunk to my heart's content for ninepence; and now, though I spend half-a-crown, I come home as sober as a sucking calf. I hope you don't call that improvement? Has Goad, the drover, been here?

Dame. No, Ralph!

Broad. I must find his account.

Enter GEORGE, L.

Geo. Good evening, father! [Bows, gets on a chair, and places books on a shelf, R.] I'm very hungry, mother.

Broad. [Looking among papers in a pocket-book, drops one.] Aye, instead of stuffing thy head I would make thee yarn someit to fill thy belly. I say, George, what's the use of thy larning-doist know, boy?

Geo. Why, father, [Crosses, c.] I was thinking about that myself, so I asked my master.

Broad. Well.

Geo. Says he, I will endeavour to impress your young mind with a probable instance of its usefulness.

Broad. Now for it.

Geo. When your dear father becomes old and past labour, your learning will be useful to him in the managing his accounts in this world, and by reading good books to him, enable him to settle his account with advantage in the world to come.

Dame. There, husband!

[Broadcast looks grave.

Geo. And, my dear child, says he, [Taking both their hands.] if it should please heaven to afflict your beloved parents with lameness or blindness, think what a happiness it will be to comfort and assist them, and change many a long winter's night of sorrow into contentment and cheerfuluess!-[Broadcast und wife become strongly affected; they sob, and conceal their faces.] Oh, dear! why I have made you cry: I thought it would make you happy and merry.

Broad. So it do, my dear !—so it do-he! he! [Mixing laugh and cry; he then snatches up George, and kisses him.] I say, missus, he's mortal like me, beant he?-he! he!

Geo. And, father, when I heard I could be such a blessing to you, I went to my book so eager, and so visciousBroad. Thee shalt go to school all thy days, if thee lik'st, I declare; he conversations better than I can.

Geo. Now I'll go to Miss Rosine.

Dame. She's not within, my lamb!

Geo. I'm sorry for that; but it won't do for me to idle my time so.

[Picks up the paper his father has dropped, and seats himself on the ground, making figures with chalk. Broad. [Significantly.] Has young Squire Templeton been here to-day? Eh!

Dame. Ralph Broadcast, none of your wicked insiniations; Miss Rosine is as vartuous as your own mother. When the young squire brought her here, she thought he was taking her to his father's house; and then he pertended the chay broke down.

Broad. Well, I hope all's right-only things look a little matter suspicus.

Dame. I've seen you wink, and nod your stupid head before Miss Rosine-and then, dear lady! she has sighed as if her poor heart would burst.

Broad. I be deadly sorrow for that.-If I should offer to do so again, you can give me a hint, you know. Here comes Miss, and, seemingly, in a mortal taking.

Enter ROSINE, L.

Ros. Oh, Dame! I've been greatly alarmed.
Dame. You look so, dear lady.

Ros. An old gentleman fell senseless from his horsehis servant galloped off for assistance, leaving me to watch him. When he recovered, he gazed at me with frantic eagerness, and this ornament became entangled in his hands; at the sight of it, he, with curses, threw me from him. I fled; he then wildly commanded my return; but nature being exhausted, he again fainted. Medical aid arrived, and they bore him away. See, there they go! [Looks out, L. U. E.

Broad. Why, certain sure, 'tis my landlord, old Mr. Cleveland-Poor man! he's past his best. You must know, Miss, that, long ago, he quarrelled with his daugher, and ever since he has been startleish, and athwart, and across, and oddish like. He has left all his fortune to old Mr. Templeton-I say, all the better for some folk. [Winks. Dume pinches him.] Zounds, what a grip !—I did not tell thee to give me a hint with a pair of pliers, did I? Oh, there's Goad the drover!-now, where's the paper? [To George.] What, you have got it, aud scribbled it, I suppose? Geo. I have done it no harm, father. [Rises.

Broad. This seventy-five pounds will just pay a quarter's

reut.

Geo. [Looking at the puper.] I was thinking, father, that if the drover only pays you seventy-five pounds, he will cheat you out of twenty-eight pounds fourteen shillings. Broad. Eh! What did you say, my dear?

Geo. I think the cattle sold came to a hundred and three pounds, fourteen shillings.

Ros. Let me see 'tis so, indeed: good boy.

Dame. Now, is his learning nonsense?

Broad. He! he! he !-he's a cute one, he has it all fra' his feyther. You must understand, Miss, that our famely is a particular sort. There's a crown for you, you cunning

little jackanapes !-He! he !-Come, dame !-Mortal like me, to be sure! [Dame Broadcast takes George's hand.

[Exeunt Broadcast, Dame Broadcast, and George, L. Vincent Templeton. [Without, L.] Ha! ha! beer after champaigne! No, no, Broadcast, that would, indeed, be sounding the base string of humility. [Enters somewhat intoxicated, L.] Enchanting Rosine! see at your feet your impassioned lover! [Kneels.] Will you not raise him to your arms?

Ros. How is this? There is a freedom in his look and manner new and alarming.-Vincent, this extravagant emotion does some violence to my subdued spirits.--Pray, rise. [With gentle serenity.

Vin. By my hopes-that supplicating eye, that plaintive voice, that interesting dejection, fire my soul with love so ardent-here could I gaze for ever!

Ros. Fie! fie!-This is the vilest trash of romantic enthusiasm let your language be the emanation of a feeling and enlightened mind. Love's best employment is the interchange of confidence-the mutual sacrifice of selfishness-the endearing offices of friendship--the sweet memory of kindness these are the features of that love whose parent is honour, and whose nurse is virtue.

Vin." And truths divine came mended from her tongue." -Sweet moralist!

Ros. Does he mock me!-Oh, Vincent! where is the father whose arms you said were open to receive me? Without his public sanction, poor and unprotected as I am, I never will be yours! Here I remain no longer.

Vin. [Aside.] As I wished. My care for you, Rosine, has devised a secure retreat-achaise waits to bear you to it. Ros. Ah!

Vin. There away from fathers—the world, and its cold rules

Ros. His senses are disordered!-Let me fly!-But whither ?-To the next precipice, rather than remain.

Vin. I've been drining bumpers of champaigne to our safe arrival at this Elysium.

Ros. [Aside.] Stratagem alone can free me.
Vin. What says my love?

Ros. [Averting her face.] Vincent, you shall witness the extent of your power over me-I'll instantly prepare for my departure. [Rushes into her room. Door in flut. Vin. Then love's triumphant. But hold!-Rosine to consent so soon!-I'm not quite sure I like that--I'm afraid

I'm growing sober-"Tis a cursed awkward thing to be half a rascal.--Oh, for a little more virtue, or a little more champaigue !-Damn this plan of Aspic's! I don't like it— But, zounds, I need not hunt for scruples, if she don't—so confusion to reflection. She comes-no, she don't. Your faithful Vincent waits.-I don't hear her.-Rosine '-Still silent-[Peeps through the key-hole.]—The window open. [Bursts open the door.]-Gone-fled from her seducer !-a detested word. I'll pursue, but not to destroy. If ever I allow uncontroll'd passion-What, again protesting! Drunkard, idiot, scoundrel !— [Rushes out.

SCENE III-A Park-House in the distance-Trees in the centre-Near them a seat.

Enter ROSINE, running.

Ros. I have escaped; but whither have my fears compelled me? I must rest awhile. I'm very faint—a female approaches

are ill?

Enter ELLEN, ' —She starts on seeing Ros ne.

El. A lady, and alone! She seems greatly agitated How may I venture to address her? I fear, Madam, you Shall I procure assistance? [Rosine_advancing, recognizes Ellen, shrieks, and conceals her face.] Heavens! Rosine St. Cleremont, my beloved instructor! [With_reserve.] Madam, Je suis bien aise de vous voir. Oh! I cannot school it. Dear, dear Rosine! look on me :-'tis Ellen; 'tis she you have called your darling Ellen that entreats.

Ros. I am not guilty-by my soul I am not. I dare bathe your hand with my tears. I dare press you, Ellen, to my broken heart; were it a guilty one, I durst not do so Tell me where am I?

Ell. In my father's domain; there's his mansion, whose hospitable doors will open wide as these arms to receive you.

Ros. No! that must not be.

Ell. Ah! but it must, though: here I am verderer ; you are a trespasser, and, by virtue of my office, I am bound to impound you. I don't care for your frowns, Ma'am. School's up, school's up! By my wishes, here comes my father! Dear Rosine, rest there a moment. [Leads her to a seat.

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