_The Lawn._
_SOLOMON and PETER are discovered arranging the TENANTRY.--Rural
music._
_Enter COUNT and COUNTESS WINTERSEN, (the latter leading her
Child,) the BARON, MRS. HALLER, CHARLOTTE, and SERVANTS following._
_Sol._ Welcome, ten thousand welcomes, your Excellencies. Some little
preparation made for welcome too. But that will be seen anon.
_Count._ Well! here we are! Heaven bless our advance and retreat! Mrs.
Haller, I bring you an invalid, who in future will swear to no flag but
yours.
_Mrs. H._ Mine flies for retreat and rural happiness.
_Count._ But not without retreating graces, and retiring cupids too.
_Countess._ [_Who has in the mean time kindly embraced MRS. HALLER,
and by her been welcomed to Wintersen._] My dear Count, you forget that
I am present.
_Count._ Why, in the name of chivalry, how can I do less than your
gallant brother, the Baron? who has been so kind as nearly to kill my
four greys, in order to be here five minutes before me.
_Bar._ Had I known all the charms of this place, you should have said so
with justice.
_Countess._ Don't you think William much grown?
_Mrs. H._ The sweet boy!
[_Stoops to kiss him, and deep melancholy
overshadows her countenance._
_Count._ Well, Solomon, you've provided a good dinner?
_Sol._ As good as haste would allow, please your Right Honourable
Excellency!
_Pet._ Yes, as good as-- [_COUNT goes aside with SOLOMON and PETER._
_Bar._ Tell me, I conjure you, sister, what jewel you have thus buried
in the country?
_Countess._ Ha! ha! ha! What, brother, you caught at last?
_Bar._ Answer me.
_Countess._ Well, her name is Mrs. Haller.
_Bar._ That I know; but--
_Countess._ But!--but I know no more myself.
_Bar._ Jesting apart, I wish to know.
_Countess._ And, jesting apart, I wish you would not plague me. I have
at least a hundred thousand important things to do. Heavens! the vicar
may come to pay his respects to me before I have been at my toilet; of
course I must consult my looking-glass on the occasion. Come, William,
will you help to dress me, or stay with your father?
_Count._ We'll take care of him.
_Countess._ Come, Mrs. Haller.
[_Exit with MRS. HALLER, CHARLOTTE following._
_Bar._ [_Aside, and going._] I am in a very singular humour.
_Count._ Whither so fast, good brother?
_Bar._ To my apartment: I have letters to--I--
_Count._ Pshaw! stay. Let us take a turn in the park together.
_Bar._ Excuse me. I am not perfectly well. I should be but bad company.
I-- [_Exit.--The_ TENANTRY _retire._
_Count._ Well, Solomon, you are as great a fool as ever, I see.
_Sol._ Ha! ha! At your Right Honourable Excellency's service.
_Count._ [_Points to PETER._] Who is that ape in the corner?
_Sol._ Ape!--Oh! that is--with respect to your Excellency be it
spoken--the son of my body; by name, Peter. [_PETER bows._
_Count._ So, so! Well, how goes all on?
_Sol._ Well and good; well and good. Your Excellency will see how I've
improved the park: You'll not know it again. A hermitage here;
serpentine walks there; an obelisk; a ruin; and all so sparingly, all
done with the most economical economy.
_Count._ Well, I'll have a peep at your obelisk and ruins, while they
prepare for dinner!
_Sol._ I have already ordered it, and will have the honour of attending
your Right Honourable Excellency.
_Count._ Come, lead the way. Peter, attend your young master to the
house; we must not tire him. [_Exit, conducted by SOLOMON._
_Pet._ We'll go round this way, your little Excellency, and then we
shall see the bridge as we go by; and the new boat, with all the fine
ribbands and streamers. This way, your little Excellency.
[_Exit, leading the Child._