_Susan._ Is it possible! Can the man to whom I've given my heart write thus!--"I am compelled to marry Miss Blandford; but my love for my Susan is unalterable--I hope she will not, for an act of necessity, cease to think with tenderness on her faithful Robert."----Oh man! ungrateful man! it is from our bosoms alone you derive your power; how cruel then to use it, in fixing in those bosoms endless sorrow and despair!----"Still think with tenderness"--Base, dishonourable insinuation--He might have allowed me to esteem him. [_Locks up the letter in a box on the table, and exit weeping._] [ASHFIELD _and_ DAME _come forward._] _Ash._ Poor thing!--What can be the matter--She locked up the letter in thic box, and then burst into tears. [_Looks at the box._ _Dame._ Yes, Tummas; she locked it in that box sure enough. [_Shakes a bunch of keys that hangs at her side._ _Ash._ What be doing, Dame? what be doing? _Dame._ [_With affected indifference._] Nothing; I was only touching these keys. [_They look at the box and keys significantly._ _Ash._ A good tightish bunch! _Dame._ Yes; they are of all sizes. [_They look as before._ _Ash._ Indeed!--Well--Eh!--Dame, why dan't ye speak? thou canst chatter fast enow zometimes. _Dame._ Nay, Tummas--I dare say--if--you know best--but I think I could find---- _Ash._ Well, Eh!--you can just try you knaw [_Greatly agitated._] You can try, just vor the vun on't: but mind, dan't ye make a noise. [_She opens it._] Why, thee hasn't opened it? _Dame._ Nay, Tummas! you told me! _Ash._ Did I? _Dame._ There's the letter! _Ash._ Well, why do ye gi't to I?--I dan't want it, I'm sure. [_Taking it--he turns it over--she eyes it eagerly--he is about to open it._]--She's coming! she's coming! [_He conceals the letter, they tremble violently._] No, she's gone into t'other room. [_They hang their heads dejectedly, then look at each other._] What mun that feyther an mother be doing, that do blush and tremble at their own dater's coming. [_Weeps._] Dang it, has she desarv'd it of us--Did she ever deceive us?--Were she not always the most open hearted, dutifullest, kindest--and thee to goa like a dom'd spy, and open her box, poor thing! _Dame._ Nay, Tummas---- _Ash._ You did--I zaw you do it myzel!--you look like a thief, now--you doe--Hush!--no--Dame--here be the letter--I won't reead a word on't; put it where thee vound it, and as thee vound it. _Dame._ With all my heart. [_She returns the letter to the box._ _Ash._ [_Embraces her._] Now I can wi' pleasure hug my wold wife, and look my child in the vace again--I'll call her, and ax her about it; and if she dan't speak without disguisement, I'll be bound to be shot--Dame, be the colour of sheame off my face yet?--I never zeed thee look ugly before----Susan, my dear Sue, come here a bit, woollye? _Enter_ SUSAN. _Susan._ Yes, my dear father.