_LADY EMILY's Apartment._
_LADY EMILY discovered, reading._
_Lady E._ It will not do. My eyes may run over a thousand subjects,
but my thoughts centre in one. Ah! that sigh! that sigh from the fair
sufferer this morning----I have found it echo in my own heart ever
since.
_Enter SERVANT._
_Serv._ Madam, Mr. Blandish.
_Lady E._ Pooh! did you say I was at home?
_Serv._ Your ladyship gave no orders to the contrary.
_Lady E._ Show him in. [_Exit SERVANT._] I must take up my air of levity
again--It is the only humour for a fellow who I sometimes allow to
entertain me, but who can never get my esteem. I have more calls upon my
affectation this unlucky day, than my real disposition would execute in
a long life.
_Enter BLANDISH._
_Lady E._ Blandish, I am horridly peevish; have you any thing new to
divert me?
_Blandish._ If you ask me for news, the latest is, that Clifford has
been detected in a clandestine intercourse with the object of Lord
Gayville's secret passion; that he has betrayed the confidence of his
friend and patron, and actually carried her off. [_Aside._] Which,
Gayville knows by this time, with all its aggravations, or Prompt has
not been as active as he used to be.
_Lady E._ [_With Emotion._] Blandish, this is a poor project. Clifford
treacherous to his friend? You might as soon make me believe Gayville
dispassionate, my uncle charitable, or you ingenuous.
_Blandish._ His conduct does not rest upon opinion, but proof; and when
you know it, you must think of him with aversion.
_Lady E._ Must I? Then don't let me hear a word more--I have aversions
enough already--
[_Peevishly._
_Blandish._ It is impossible you can apply that word to one whose only
offence is to adore you.
[_Kisses her Hand._
_Enter CLIFFORD._
_Cliff._ [_Aside, surprised._] Blandish so favoured?
_Lady E._ [_Aside._] Perverse accident: what mistakes now will he make!
_Blandish._ [_Aside._] The enemy has surprised me--but the only remedy
in such emergences, is to show a good countenance.
_Cliff._ I fear I have been guilty of an unpardonable intrusion.
_Blandish._ Mr. Clifford never can intrude; but though you had not come
so apropos yourself--Lady Emily will bear testimony, I have not spared
my pains to remove any prejudices she might have entertained.
_Lady E._ Had you not better repeat in your own words, Mr. Blandish,
all the obliging things you have said of this gentleman?
_Cliff._ It is not necessary, madam--if without robbing you of moments
that I perceive are precious--
_Lady E._ Sir?
_Cliff._ I might obtain a short audience--
[_Looking at BLANDISH._
_Blandish._ [_Aside._] He's devilish impudent--but he cannot soon
get over facts, and I'll take care the conference shall not be long.
[_To LADY EMILY._]--Lady Emily; hear Mr. Clifford, and judge if I have
misrepresented him--[_To CLIFFORD._] When you want a friend, you know
where to find him.
[_Exit._
_Lady E._ This is an interview, Mr. Clifford, that I desire not to be
understood to have authorized. It is not to me, you are accountable for
your actions--I have no personal interest in them.
_Cliff._ I know it well.
_Lady E._ [_Peevishly._] Do not run away with the notion neither, that
I am therefore interested in any other person's--You have among you
vexed and disconcerted me, but there is not a grain of partiality in
all my embarrassment--if you have any eyes, you may see there is not.
_Cliff._ Happy Blandish! your triumph is evident.
_Lady E._ Blandish, the odious creature--He is my abhorrence--You are
hardly worse yourself in my bad opinion, though you have done so much
more to deserve it.
_Cliff._ How cruel are the circumstances that compel me to leave you
under these impressions!--nay--more--at such a time to urge a request,
that during your most favourable thoughts of me would have appeared
strange if not presumptuous.--This is the key of my apartment. It
contains a secret that the exigency of the hour obliged me, against
inclination or propriety, to lodge there. Should Sir Clement return
before me, I implore you to prevent his discovery, and give to what you
find within, your confidence and protection. Lord Gayville--but I shall
go too far--the most anxious event of my life presses on me. I conjure
you to comply, by all the compassion and tenderness nature has
treasured in your heart--not for me--but for occasions worthy their
display. Pray take it.
[_Gives the Key, which she receives with some reluctance and exit._
_Lady E._ Heigho!--It's well, he's gone without insisting on my answer:
I was in a sad flutter of indecision. What mysterious means he takes to
engage me in a confidence which I could not directly accept!--I am to
find a letter, I suppose--the story of his heart--Its errors and
defence--My brother's name, also--to furnish me with a new interest in
the secret, and one I might avow--One may dislike this art, but must be
sensible of his delicacy----Ah, when these two qualities unite in a
man, I am afraid he is an overmatch for the wisest of us--Hark!--sure
that is the sound of my uncle's coach--[_Looks out of the Window._]
'Tis he--and now for the secret--Curiosity! innate irresistible
principle in womankind, be my excuse, before I dare question my mind
upon other motives.
[_Exit._