_Sir Simon._ Why, I think most of them have run too much, and want firing. [_Exeunt SIR SIMON, and LORD FITZ BALAAM._ _Lady Car._ I shall die of ennui, in this moping manor house!--Shall I read to-day?--no, I'll walk.--No, I'll----Yes, I'll read first, and walk afterwards. [_Rings the Bell, and takes a Book._]--Pope.--Come, as there are no novels, this may be tolerable. This is the most triste house I ever saw! [_Sits down and reads._ "In these deep solitudes, and awful cells, Where heavenly-pensive--" _Enter ROBERT._ _Rob._ Did you ring, my lady? _Lady Car._ ----"Contemplation dwells--" Sir? Oh, yes;--I should like to walk. Is it damp under foot, sir?--"And ever musing--" _Rob._ There has been a good deal of rain to-day my lady. _Lady Car._ "Melancholy reigns--" _Rob._ My lady-- _Lady Car._ Pray, sir, look out, and bring me word if it is clean or dirty. _Rob._ Yes, my lady. [_Exit._ _Lady Car._ This settling a marriage is a strange business!--"What means this tumult in a vestal's veins?--" _Shuff._ [_Without._] Bid the groom lead the horse into the avenue, and I'll come to him. _Lady Car._ Company in the house?--some Cornish squire, I suppose. [_Resumes her reading._ _Enter TOM SHUFFLETON, speaking while entering, JOHN following._ _Lady Car._ [_Still reading, and seated with her Back to SHUFFLETON._]----"Soon as thy letters, trembling, I unclose----" _John._ What horse will you have saddled, sir? _Shuff._ Slyboots. [_Exit JOHN._ _Lady Car._ ----"That well known name awakens all my woes--" _Shuff._ Lady Caroline Braymore! _Lady Car._ Mr. Shuffleton! Lard! what can bring you into Cornwall? _Shuff._ Sympathy:--which has generally brought me near your ladyship, in London at least, for these three winters. _Lady Car._ Psha! but seriously? _Shuff._ I was summoned by friendship. I am consulted on all essential points, in this family;--and Frank Rochdale is going to be married. _Lady Car._ Then, you know to whom? _Shuff._ No;--not thinking that an essential point, I forgot to ask. He kneels at the pedestal of a rich shrine, and I didn't inquire about the statue. But, dear Lady Caroline, what has brought you into Cornwall? _Lady Car._ Me? I'm the statue. _Shuff._ You! _Lady Car._ Yes; I've walk'd off my pedestal, to be worshipp'd at the Land's End. _Shuff._ You to be married to Frank Rochdale! O, Lady Caroline! what then is to become of _me_? _Lady Car._ Oh, Mr. Shuffleton! not thinking that an essential point, I forgot to ask. _Shuff._ Psha! now you're laughing at me! but upon my soul, I shall turn traitor; take advantage of the confidence reposed in me, by my friend, and endeavour to supplant him. _Lady Car._ What do you think the world would call such duplicity of conduct? _Enter ROBERT._