And if I tell her all,—or if she have guessed,— Now when I tell her she will comfort me. 2880 Comfort and counsel, friendship, that I need And she can give. I never will part fróm her. _Re-enter Flora._ _Fl._ Oh, my lady: the Lady Laura is gone, she has run away. _D._ Run away! _Fl._ Sir Gregory is coming to tell you all about it. She has run away with Mr. Frederick. _D._ Nonsense! How dare you tell me.... _Fl._ I guess it’s true though. I remember now I used to say how strange it was that such a sweet lady, and so clever and proper a gentleman as.... 2891 _D._ Silence, Flora! What has come to you? What makes you say this? _Fl._ Because she’s not to be found. But Sir Gregory will tell you. _D._ Send Sir Gregory at once. (_Aside._) This is impossible, impossible. _Fl._ See here he comes. _D._ (_aside_). Ah! if this were Frederick’s secret! _Enter Sir Gregory._ What is it? Sir Gregory, tell me. 2900 _GREGORY._ I scarce dare tell your ladyship the tidings I have to bear. _D._ (_aside_). It’s true! it’s true! _G._ My daughter Has run away with Frederick. (_Diana sinks on a chair; Flora runs to fan her._) Ah! my lady! What have I done? I was too quick. _D._ Nay, nay, Flora, begone. I can hear all. You knew it? _G._ I had not the least suspicion of the truth; Altho’it needed but the merest trifle To clear my sight. I chanced to find her glove In Frederick’s room. All flashed upon me at once. I ran to seek her. She was gone. A message 2910 She left was given me, that she would be away All the afternoon: but since she had taken with her A valise.... _D._ She, ’twas she.... O most dissembling, Ungenerous, ungrateful.... _Fl._ I said ’twas true. _D._ Begone at once I bid you. [_Exit Flora._ _G._ I ran in haste To tell your ladyship; but for some reason Could not be admitted: so I took such steps To arrest them as I might.... _D._ Ha! they are seized? _G._ I have since repented of my haste: a letter Put in my hands reveals the whole: ’tis passed 2920 Beyond prevention. It has been maturing Under our eyes for months. We must give way. ’Tis strange we never guessed it. This very morning I was in Laura’s room; and when we parted She made such long farewells, and looked at me With such reluctance, and such brimming eyes, I saw she had some trouble untold; and thinking ’Twas her dislike of Nicholas, I repented I had ever urged the match. I little thought, Dear girl, ’twas sorrow that she dared not tell me Her joy. 2931