[_Still affecting not to understand him._ SIR GEORGE. I bid you go. [_Angrily._ BLUNTLY. You bid me go, sir?--Oh yes, sir.--Very well, sir.--But indeed, sir, I did not hear you before, sir.--Indeed I did not. [_Bows, and exit with reluctance, which_ ELEANOR _observes_. ELEANOR. Pardon me, sir.--I understood my brother was here, but I find he is not. SIR GEORGE. He is but this instant gone, and will return immediately.--Stay then with me till he comes. (_Takes her hand._) Surely you cannot refuse to remain with me a few moments; especially as I have a great deal to say to you that may tend to your advantage. Why do you cast your eyes with such impatience on that door? (_Goes and locks it._) There, now you may look at it in vain. ELEANOR. For heaven sake, why am I locked in? SIR GEORGE. Because you should not escape. ELEANOR. That makes me resolve I will--Open the door, sir. [_Going to it._ SIR GEORGE. Nay, listen to me. Your sentiments, I make no doubt, are formed from books. ELEANOR. No, from misfortunes--yet more instructive. SIR GEORGE. You shall never know misfortune more--you, nor your relations.--But this moment I presented your brother with a sum of money, and he left me with professions of the deepest gratitude. ELEANOR. My brother!--Has he received money from you? Ah! he promised me he'd not disgrace his family. SIR GEORGE. How! Family, indeed! ELEANOR. I cannot remain here a moment longer. Open the door, sir--open it immediately. [_Raising her voice._ BLUNTLY. [_Without._ Sir, sir, sir,--open the door, if you please--you are wanted, sir. SIR GEORGE. S'death! who can want me in such haste? [_Opens the door, and appears confounded._ _Enter_ BLUNTLY. SIR GEORGE. Well, sir! BLUNTLY. ----Did you call, sir? SIR GEORGE. It was _you_ who called, sir. BLUNTLY. Who, I, sir? SIR GEORGE. Yes, sir, you--Who wants me? BLUNTLY. [_Looking at_ ELEANOR. Perhaps it was _you_ that called, Ma'am. ELEANOR. It _was_ I that called: and pray be so kind as to conduct me to my own lodgings. [BLUNTLY _offers her his hand_. SIR GEORGE. Dare not to touch her--or to stay another moment in the room.--Begone. [BLUNTLY _looks at_ ELEANOR _aside, and points to the pistol; then bows humbly, and retires_. SIR GEORGE. And now, my fair Lucretia---- [_He is going to seize her--she takes up the pistol and presents it._ ELEANOR. No, it's not _myself_ I'll kill--'Tis you. SIR GEORGE. [_Starting._ Nay, nay, nay, lay it down.--Lay that foolish thing down; I beg you will. (_Trembling._) It is charged--it may go off. ELEANOR. I mean it to go off. SIR GEORGE. But no jesting--I never liked jesting in my life. ELEANOR. Nor I--but am always serious.--Dare not, therefore, insult me again, but let me go to my wretched apartments. [_Passes by him, presenting the pistol._ SIR GEORGE. Go to the----