DAM. _(Coming between them.)_ John! John!--you must learn to suppress such grateful feelings--my miseries are beginning already. Before the knot is actually tied, another is kissing my intended wife. NIG. Then let me get one of my own, and never again will I be under such an obligation to you--I could not controul my grateful impulse--but I am wasting time, I must follow my fate immediately. DAM. Where are you going? NIG. To bring back the dear creature whose feelings I have so trifled with, and make an instant reparation by following your example. _(Going.)_ DAM. Stop, stop! NIG. Pray don't attempt to shake my resolution--I wont hear you. DAM. I but wish to exact one promise from you. NIG. What is it? DAM. That you will give my arguments fair play, that you wont marry till I have been a wretched man a month. NIG. Don't exact the promise--pray don't--it may be years before I am again in such a marrying mood. I'll return--I will, indeed--pray wish me success--but I don't despair--I feel quite an ardent lover again. Though I am not running away with a lady I am running after one--eh?--Ha! ha!--good bye. Now for a post chaise and a hot pursuit--for a last attack on this formidable castle of connubiality, or death in its trenches. [_Exit D.F._ DAM. Poor man--poor man. CHE. _I_ have also received an invitation to this manor-house, with a request to bring a lady on my arm. DAM. So have I--of course I must take _you._ _(To MISS MACAW.)_ MISS MAC. What lady else _ought_ you to take, sir? CHE. Who is the party residing there? DAM. I don't know; the house has been shut up for some time--it has undergone complete repair--new furniture from London has been seen going in--a set of servants are there, but who the party is that has invited me, I neither know nor care to know. [_Goes up the stage, followed by MISS MACAW._ CHE. Let us leave this loving couple to themselves--will you accompany me to this Manor house to-night? MISS MEA. Certainly, if you wish for my society. CHE. Wish for your society!--Jessy--I must now remove the mask--nothing can occur _now_ to prevent our happiness--and you _shall_ know who and what I am--I am burning with impatience to tell you---- MISS MEA. _(Interrupting.)_ I hope you are what you have seemed to be; if you are _not_ poor, I shall never love you; if you are not the indigent struggling creature I have believed you to be, there is an end of all--there shall be no marriage--no love in a cottage--no second floor in London--I have done with you for ever. CHE. Hear me, Jessy. MISS MEA. Well, I will hear you--step this way--in the garden we shall be free from interruption; and there, when you have told me the whole truth, if I discover that you have deceived me--I--I shall break my heart with vexation. [_Exeunt F.E.L._