_The Paddock near LADY WALTON'S House--A View of the
House at a distance, and partly moonlight._
_WILLOUGHBY alone._
_Willoughby._ 'Tis past the hour Lady Waitfor't appointed--why does she
delay? I cannot have mistaken the place--yonder's Lady Walton's
house--Oh! 'would all were past, and Louisa safely mine! I hear a
noise--by Heaven 'tis she! and with her all my happiness--I'll withdraw
a while, and observe them. [_Retires._
_Enter LADY WAITFOR'T and LOUISA COURTNEY._
_Louisa._ My dear Lady Waitfor't, why do you loiter here? you cannot
find your servants in this place--let us return to Lady Walton's.
_Lady._ No, no, they must be here,--I ordered them to wait in this very
spot, to avoid confusion. What can have become of Willoughby? [_Aside._
_Louisa._ If you have the least sense of fear for yourself, or regard
for me, I beg we may return to Lady Walton's.
_Lady._ No, no, I tell you I ordered William at the back gate, that he
might conduct us through the paddock to our carriage; you know we might
have been whole hours getting through the crowd the other way--do be a
little patient, hav'n't I as much reason to be alarmed as yourself?
_Louisa._ Yes, but you have not the apprehension I have; I don't know
why, but I am terrified beyond description.
_Lady._ Well, well, never fear; [_Looking out._] Oh, yonder's
Willoughby! now for the grand design! [_Aside._] Louisa, if you'll wait
here a moment I'll step to the next gate, and see if they are
there;--they cannot escape us then.
_Louisa._ No, no, don't leave me;--I wouldn't stay by myself for the
world.
_Lady._ Ridiculous! can't you protect yourself for an instant? must you
be all your life watch'd like a baby in leading-strings? Oh! I am
ashamed of you--only wait a moment, lest they pass by in my absence, and
I'll return to you immediately.
_Louisa._ Well: don't stay.
_Lady._ Stay! what have you to be frightened at? I shall not be out of
call;--besides, if there's any fear of a personal attack, may not I be
as terrified as yourself? It isn't the first time, I'll assure you, but
that's no matter;--show yourself a woman of spirit, and, at least,
emulate one of my virtues.--Now, Willoughby, the rest is thine! [_Exit._
_WILLOUGHBY comes forward._
_Willoughby._ Be not alarmed, Miss Courtney.
_Louisa._ Mr Willoughby!
_Willoughby._ Yes, madam; the man you most avoid.
_Louisa._ Tell me, sir, immediately, how, and by whose appointment, you
came here?
_Willoughby._ By love, madam; the same passion that has prompted me to
pursue you for years, now happily conducts me hither;--I come to lessen
your fears, not to increase them.
_Louisa._ Then, leave me, sir, I can protect myself.
_Willoughby._ No, not till you have heard and pitied me; I have been
long your suitor, and long scorned by you; you have treated me with
indifference, and preferred my inferiors; how I have deserved all this,
yourself can best explain, but, to prove all former cruelties are
forgotten, I here offer you my hand, and, with it, my heart.
_Louisa._ Sir,--this is no time for hearing you on this subject; if you
wish to oblige me, leave me.
_Willoughby._ No, not till I am answered;--years may elapse ere I shall
have another opportunity like the present, therefore no time can be so
well as now.
_Louisa._ Then I command you to leave me,--I will not be threatened into
a compliance.
_Willoughby._ Look ye, Miss Courtney--I would avoid taking advantage of
your situation--nay, start not--but if you persist in your contempt of
me, I know not to what extremities passion may hurry me; I have every
motive for redress, and, if you do not instantly give me your word, to
prefer me to that beggar Neville, I may do that, my cooler sense would
scorn.
_Louisa._ Beggar, sir!
_Willoughby._ Yes; and, were he not beneath my resentment, I'd tell you
more;--but he is too poor--too--
_Louisa._ Hold, sir; did you resemble him, I might esteem, nay, adore
you; but as you are, I loath, I despise, I defy you;--you take advantage
of my situation!--Hear me, sir,--though not a friend is near,--though
night opposes me, and Heaven deserts me, yet can I smile upon your
menaces, and make you tremble, villain as you are.
_Willoughby._ Have a care, madam! another declaration like that, and
I'll delay no longer;--I'll force you to my purpose.
_Louisa._ You dare not, on your life you dare not.
_Willoughby._ Nay, then--I am not to be terrified by threats,--[_Lays
hold of her._] all struggling is in vain; this moment gratifies my
revenge,--away!
_Louisa._ Off,--let me go! Oh, help! help!
[_As he is forcing her out, enter FLORIVILLE, half
drunk._]
_Flor._ "Donne, donne, donne, dow." [_Singing part of an Italian air._]
Oh, this burgundy's a glorious liquor! hey-day! who have we here?
_Louisa._ Oh, sir! if you have any pity for an injured, helpless woman,
assist one who never knew distress till now!
_Flor._ Go on, ma'am, go on--both damn'd drunk I perceive.
_Louisa._ Do not be deaf to my entreaties--do not desert me--
_Flor._ Go on, ma'am, go on--I love oratory in a woman.
_Louisa._ Gracious Heaven! how have I deserved all this? I see, sir, you
avoid me. I see you are indifferent to my fate.
_Flor._ No, ma'am, you wrong me--but in Italy--observe--we always take
these things coolly--now, sir, will you explain?
_Willoughby._ No, sir, I will not.
_Flor._ You will not?
_Willoughby._ No, sir, and I warn you not to listen to the wild ravings
of a senseless woman--it may be better for you, sir.
_Flor._ Why so, Prince Prettiman?
_Willoughby._ No matter, sir, I will not be amused from my purpose.
_Flor._ You won't, old Pluto, won't you? then, ma'am, observe! you shall
behold my mode of fighting--I'll kill him like a gentleman, and he shall
die without a groan;--you'll be delighted, ma'am--I learnt it all in
Italy.--Come, Belzebub, are you ready?
_Willoughby._ 'Sdeath! what can I do? he is drunk, perhaps I may disarm
him.
_Flor._ Now, thou original sin, thou prince of darkness! come out; never
let her see thy black infernal visage more, or by my life I'll pulverize
you--you see, ma'am, no bad orator either--learnt it all in Italy.
_Willoughby._ Come on, sir.
_Flor._ Ay, now old Sysiphus, push home--but fight like a gentleman, if
you can, for remember, there is a lady in company--observe, ma'am,
observe; you won't see it again. [_They fight.--FLORIVILLE disarms
WILLOUGHBY._]
_Flor._ What, vanquished, Tarquin? hah! hah! [_Parrying up and down the
stage by himself._]--You see, ma'am, you see!--Oh! Italy's your only
country!--Now, ma'am, would you have me kill him here, "in Allegro," or
postpone it, that you may have the pleasure of pinking him yourself, "in
Penseroso?"
_Louisa._ [_Coming near FLORIVILLE, and discovering him._] Floriville,
my deliverer!--generous man!--No, sir, whatever are his crimes, do not
kill him; his greatest punishment will be to live.
_Flor._ There, then, caitiff, take your sword, and, d'ye hear?
retire;--that black front of thine offends the lady;--if you want
another flourish, you will soon find Floriville--abscond.
_Willoughby._ Sir, you shall hear from me--distraction! [_Exit._
_Flor._ And now, my dear little angel, how can I assist you? I'm very
sorry that I can't help it--I'm cursed drunk, and not proper company for
a lady of your dignity,--but I won't affront you,--I mean to make myself
agreeable, and if I do not--it is the fault of that place, [_Pointing to
his head._] and not of this, [_Pointing to his heart._]
_Louisa._ Sir, your conduct has endeared you to me for ever, and while I
live, your generosity and valour shall be engraven on my heart.
_Flor._ Gently, gently, have a care, make no declarations; if you are in
love with me, as I suppose you are, keep it secret,--for at this moment
you might raise a flame that would consume us both;--poor creature! how
fond she is of me! any other time I would indulge her, but not
now--[_Looks at her sometime, then runs, and kisses her hand._]--Oh, you
paragon!--"Angels must paint to look as fair as you."--[_Goes from her
again._]--I'll leave you, or, by Heaven, it will be all over with us.
_Louisa._ No, no, don't desert me! alas! I have no way left but to
commit myself to your care--if I could bring him to recollect me, all
would be safe. Mr Floriville, don't you know me?
_Flor._ No, 'would to Heaven I did.
_Louisa._ What, not Miss Courtney?
_Flor._ What, Louisa? my brother's idol?
_Louisa._ Alas! the very same.
_Flor._ Then may I die, if I don't get out of your debt before I leave
you--where--where shall I conduct you?
_Louisa._ I know not--return to lady Waitfor't's again, I will not--I
had rather be a wanderer all my life--to lady Walton's there is no
excuse for returning, and I know no friend in Bath I dare intrude
upon.--I have so high an opinion, Mr Floriville, of your honour, that,
notwithstanding your present situation, there is no man on earth I would
sooner confide in;--can you then think of any place where I may rest in
safety for a few hours, and then I will set out for my uncle's in the
country.
_Flor._ Indeed I cannot, I am a wanderer myself;--I have no home but
what this gentleman is to purchase me [_Taking out his purse._]--you
cannot partake of that.
_Louisa._ Oh! what will become of me?
_Flor._ Let me see--I have it--I'll take her to my brother's;--she'll be
safe there, and not a soul shall come near her.--Well, Miss Courtney,--I
have recollected a place where I know you'll be safe--a friend's house,
that will be as secure--nay, don't droop--in Italy we're never
melancholy.
_Louisa._ Oh, Mr Floriville, to what a hazard has lady Waitfor't exposed
me!--to her perfidy I owe it all--but yonder's that wretch again--pray
let us begone.
_Flor._ Belzebub again,--no, no, we mustn't stir;--what! an angel fly
from a devil? damme, I'll stay and crush him.
_Louisa._ Nay, sir, reflect,--'twere madness to remain.
_Flor._ 'Faith that's true; I believe it's braver to retire,--therefore,
Tarquin, adieu; come, my best angel! I'll fight your battles, and if I
don't sink all your enemies, may I never see Italy again as long as I
live! [_Exeunt._
_Enter WILLOUGHBY._
_Willoughby._ Ha! gone,--I am sorry for it--I would have seen them--lady
Waitfor't has just left me, and treated me like her slave,--insulted and
derided me; but I'll have done with her for ever,--I'll be her dupe no
more;--she is now gone to Neville's lodgings, under pretence of pursuing
Louisa, but, in fact, to see him, and prevent his leaving Bath;--this I
will write to my lord, and then let him follow, and be witness of her
infamy;--thus, I hope, I shall make some reparation for the wrongs I
have committed, and prove at last I have some sense of virtue. [_Exit._