_Sir Philip._ None; nor could I ever guess at the generous donor. I need not tell thee what my heart suffered, when death deprived me of her. Thus circumstanced, this good man, Sir Abel Handy, proposed to unite our families by marriage; and in consideration of what he termed the honour of our alliance, agreed to pay off every incumbrance on my estates, and settle them as a portion on you and his son. Yet still another wonder remains.--When I arrive, I find no claim whatever has been made, either by Morrington or his agents. What am I to think? Can Morrington have perished, and with him his large claims to my property? Or, does he withhold the blow, to make it fall more heavily? _Miss B._ 'Tis very strange! very mysterious! But my father has not told me what misfortune led him to leave his native country. _Sir Philip._ [_Greatly agitated._] Ha! _Miss B._ May I not know it? _Sir Philip._ Oh, never, never, never! _Miss B._ I will not ask it--Be composed--Let me wipe away those drops of anguish from your brow.--How cold your cheek is! My father, the evening damps will harm you--Come in--I will be all you wish--indeed I will. [_Exeunt._ SCENE III. _An Apartment in the Castle._ _Enter_ EVERGREEN. _Everg._ Was ever any thing so unlucky! Henry to come to the Castle and meet Sir Philip! He should have consulted me; I shall be blamed--but, thank Heaven, I am innocent. [SIR ABEL _and_ LADY HANDY _without._] _Lady H._ I will be treated with respect. _Sir Abel._ You shall, my dear. [_They enter._ _Lady H._ But how! but how, Sir Abel? I repeat it-- _Sir Philip._ [_Aside._] For the fiftieth time. _Lady H._ Your son conducts himself with an insolence I won't endure; but you are ruled by him, you have no will of your own. _Sir Abel._ I have not, indeed. _Lady H._ How contemptible! _Sir Abel._ Why, my dear, this is the case--I am like the ass in the fable; and if I am doomed to carry a packsaddle, it is not much matter who drives me. _Lady H._ To yield your power to those the law allows you to govern!-- _Sir Abel._ Is very weak, indeed. _Everg._ Lady Handy, your very humble servant; I heartily congratulate you, madam, on your marriage with this worthy gentleman--Sir, I give you joy. _Sir Abel._ [_Aside._] Not before 'tis wanted. _Everg._ Aye, my lady, this match makes up for the imprudence of your first. _Lady H._ Hem! _Sir Abel._ Eh! What!--what's that--Eh! what do you mean? _Everg._ I mean, sir--that Lady Handy's former husband-- _Sir Abel._ Former husband!--Why, my dear, I never knew--Eh! _Lady H._ A mumbling old blockhead!--Didn't you, Sir Abel? Yes; I was rather married many years ago; but my husband went abroad and died. _Sir Abel._ Died, did he? _Everg._ Yes, sir, he was a servant in the Castle. _Sir Abel._ Indeed! So he died--poor fellow! _Lady H._ Yes. _Sir Abel._ What, you are sure he died, are you? _Lady H._ Don't you hear?