Card parties, la, bless you Miss, I dare say their’s not a house within six or seven miles of her. ALICIA. Well, I shall have a charming time of it, but their’s no persuading Mama. I don’t know what’s come to her; so you may pack up my things, let’s see. I shall take my pink lutestring, and my blue satin slip; then there is my spotted book muslin, and my fine jaconet with sprigs; as for the striped muslin, you will not forget that. BETTY. La, Miss, what will you do with so many clothes? ALICIA. I desire you to put up all that I mention, and don’t forget my hat with the white feathers. The only entertainment I shall have will be the pleasure of dressing and undressing myself. BETTY. Very true, Miss— ALICIA. I felt quite bad enough when I was at school, and I am sure I shall feel ten times worse, now I am agoing to my aunt’s. Oh, Betty, don’t forget to run to the library and ask for those twenty volumes of new novels that I have bespoke, and tell the librarian to put in a dozen plays beside. BETTY. Yes, Miss. _Scene._ (ALICIA _and_ CONSTANCE.) CONSTANCE. How should you like to employ yourself, cousin? ALICIA. It is indifferent to me. CONSTANCE. Are you too much tired with your journey, to take a stroll in the garden? We shall have yet a light half hour. ALICIA. Yes, it is early to have done tea. CONSTANCE. In London, I suppose you are later? ALICIA. Oh dear, yes; we have never done tea there till between eight and nine. CONSTANCE. Then what hour do you sup? ALICIA. That depends on where we are. My mother is early, we sup before twelve. The Seymours never till near one; and if one is at a ball, three or four is the usual hour. CONSTANCE. Why, then you must lose half your day in bed. ALICIA. Oh, we rise as early as other people. It is of no use to be up before one’s friends are stirring. (_Enter_ MRS. WOODFORD.) MRS. WOODFORD. Miss Alicia, I am about returning to London. Have you any message to send to your mama? (ALICIA _crying, but does not speak_.) MRS. WOODFORD. Have you any letter written? ALICIA. I will write soon. CONSTANCE. You may have some particular message to say to Mrs. Woodford. I will leave you. (_Exit_ CONSTANCE.)