_A Chamber at_ DONNA ISABELLA'S.
_Enter_ ISABELLA _followed by the_ MARQUIS.
MARQUIS. But my dear sister, did not you seduce me to this melancholy
spot, on a promise that you would procure me an introduction to the
rich widow, the charming Countess?--Interest first prompted my wishes,
but since I have beheld her, it is love.
ISABEL. Beheld her!
MARQUIS. Yes, beheld her--walking in her garden--sitting negligently in
an arbor.
ISABEL. But how?--How contrive to see her?--
MARQUIS. From the top of our house, through a telescope--but, my dear
sister, do bring us a little nearer, or I'll purchase a speaking
trumpet, and make love to her through it, though my passion be heard
by every soul within a quarter of a mile.
ISABEL. I tell you I have great hopes.
MARQUIS. But why not accept of her acquaintance, and prevail on her
yourself to see me?
ISABEL. I tell you again, the letters I expect from her uncle at Madrid
will have more weight than volumes I could say--She dare not disobey
him, and _must_ see you.
MARQUIS. And yet I would not compel her to it--Unless she consents to my
acquaintance freely, without being constrained by force, or deceived by
stratagem, I had rather have recourse to the top of the house and my
telescope again.
ISABEL. Do not let your scrupulous honor overcome all your future
prospects--Notwithstanding these letters will strongly recommend
you, yet it will be with her own consent only she will yield to the
recommendation.
MARQUIS. But when do you expect the letters?
ISABEL. Every instant--my servants are now gone to the Post office.
MARQUIS. I'll fly and see if they are returned.
ISABEL. Do; for as soon as the letters are arrived, I would not have you
lose a moment but away, and know your fate at once--yet if she will but
see you I think with such a person as your's, there can be little to
fear.
MARQUIS. But they tell me she is so austere since this rigid vow--so
awful--she will petrify me with a look.
ISABEL. Pshaw--away, and see if the letters are come.
MARQUIS. I will, and if they are, and I gain admittance, I'm resolved I
will obtain you a husband within a week, in return, my dear sister, for
your kindness to me. [_Exit Marquis._
_Enter_ INIS.
ISABEL. Well, Inis--I am impatient to hear--What success?
INIS. Delightful, Madam--I have been introduced to the young Countess--I
first communicated the intelligence of the pretended plot forming against
her to her waiting-woman, who was sufficiently alarmed at it, to take me
to her Lady immediately.
ISABEL. Well.
INIS. And so, Madam, as soon as I was introduced I fell a crying--I
thought that was the best way.
ISABEL. Very well.
INIS. And then, before I discovered what I had to say, I made her
promise not to betray me, which she did most solemnly, and without the
least reluctance--and now, Madam, says I, I live servant with your
neighbour, Donna Isabella, a flighty Lady, who turns every thing serious
and sacred into ridicule; and she has resolved to make sport of you for
pretending an aversion to men, and for that purpose she has procured
recommendations for you to receive the visits of the young Marquis her
brother, but instead of him, she purposes to come herself, disguised as
a man, prevail on you to consent to be married to her, and then throw
off the mask, and make you and your vow the jest of the whole kingdom.
ISABEL. This is all right--go on.
INIS. On this she thanked me a thousand times for the discovery.
ISABEL. But did she say she would receive me?
INIS. Oh yes--she has promised to receive you on my account, that my
divulging the scheme may not be detected.
ISABEL. And she is absolutely resolved to receive _me_ under the title
of my brother?
INIS. You may depend upon it--but how are you to proceed now?
ISABEL. Send my brother to her immediately.
INIS. Your brother!
ISABEL. Yes--The Countess, from what you have told her, will suppose
him a woman, receive him, and consequently suffer a thousand endearing
familiarities; till, charmed by the graces of his mind and person, she
shall love him without _knowing_ it, and, when she detects the impostor,
be unable to part with him.
INIS. And if she is like me, she'll think it the happiest day of her
life--but have you prepared your brother how to act his part?
ISABEL. He has nothing to _act_, being the very person he represents,
and therefore shall not know of the art by which he is introduced--for,
except being a little too attentive to dress and etiquette, a circumstance
which, with his youthful appearance, favours our design, he is one of
the most amiable young men in the world, and the least idea of imposition
would shock his honour, and put an end to my scheme.
INIS. Then he is not to know he is to be taken for a woman.
ISABEL. Certainly not--Hush, here he is, now for my credentials.
(_taking out letters from her pocket._)
_Enter_ MARQUIS.
MARQUIS. Oh, my dear sister, there are no letters arrived.
ISABEL. Yes, here they are--(_Gives a packet of letters_) my maid has
just brought them me.
MARQUIS. O with what joy I receive them--they are all right?--There will
be no mistake I hope?--Nothing to make me appear ridiculous?--I would
not appear ridiculous for the world.
ISABEL. All is right--No, no.
MARQUIS. They are addressed to her uncle!
ISABEL. Yes, because it will be far more delicate to be introduced
through his means--but there is one enclosed to her.
MARQUIS. D'ye think she'll see me?
ISABEL. Yes; I dare say--There is little doubt of it.
INIS. By my dream last night, I'd lay my life she will.
MARQUIS. Why, what did you dream?
INIS. I dreamt she ordered her servants to drag your Lordship by force
out of the house, and duck you in the great fish-pond for a whole hour.
MARQUIS. Is that a sign?--
INIS. O yes--Dreams always go by contraries.
MARQUIS. (_Going, returns._) But I know she is so haughty and reserved,
that, _should_ she admit me, I shall appear confused and awkward.--
INIS. So much the better--she expects you'll be awkward.
MARQUIS. Expects I shall be awkward!
ISABEL. Pshaw, pshaw--Hesitate no longer with your fears, but away--you
know your first court must be to the uncle, and when you have been a
little time in the house your apprehensions will vanish.--Away, away.
MARQUIS. But if she should not condescend to see me?
INIS. Oh, my Lord, you may depend upon it she will, because of my dream.
(_Exit Marquis on one side and Isabella and Inis on the other._)