_Handy, jun._ Sir Philip Blandford, your conduct compels me to be serious. _Sir Philip._ Oh, forbear! forbear! _Handy, jun._ Excuse me, sir,--an alliance, it seems, is intended between our families, founded on ambition and interest. I wish it, sir, to be formed on a nobler basis, ingenuous friendship and mutual confidence. That confidence being withheld, I must here pause; for I should hesitate in calling that man father, who refuses me the name of friend. _Sir Philip._ [_Aside._] Ah! how shall I act? _Handy, jun._ Is my demand unreasonable? _Sir Philip._ Strictly just--But oh!--you know not what you ask--Do you not pity me? _Handy, jun._ I do. _Sir Philip._ Why then seek to change it into hate? _Handy, jun._ Confidence seldom generates hate--Mistrust always. _Sir Philip._ Most true. _Handy, jun._ I am not impelled by curiosity to ask your friendship. I scorn so mean a motive. Believe me, sir, the folly and levity of my character proceed merely from the effervescence of my heart--you will find its substance warm, steady, and sincere. _Sir Philip._ I believe it from my soul.--Yes, you shall hear my story; I will lay before your view the agony, with which this wretched bosom is loaded. _Handy, jun._ I am proud of your confidence, and am prepared to receive it. _Sir Philip._ Not here--let me lead you to the eastern part of the castle, my young friend--mark me: This is no common trust I repose in you; for I place my life in your hands. _Handy, jun._ And the pledge I give for its security is, what alone gives value to life, my honour. [_Exeunt._ SCENE III. _A gloomy Gallery in the Castle--in the centre a strongly barred door.--The gallery hung with portraits._ HENRY _discovered examining a particular portrait, which occupies a conspicuous situation in the gallery._ _Henry._ Whenever curiosity has led me to this gallery, that portrait has attracted my attention--the features are peculiarly interesting. One of the house of Blandford--Blandford---my name--perhaps my father. To remain longer ignorant of my birth, I feel impossible. There is a point when patience ceases to be a virtue--Hush! I hear footsteps--Ah! Sir Philip and another in close conversation. Shall I avoid them?--No--Shall I conceal myself, and observe them?--Curse on the base suggestion!--No-- _Enter_ SIR PHILIP _and_ HANDY, _jun._ _Sir Philip._ That chamber contains the mystery. _Henry._ [_Aside._] Ah! _Sir Philip._ [_Turning round._] Observe that portrait. [_Seeing_ HENRY--_starts._] Who's there? _Handy, jun._ [_To_ HENRY.] Sir, we wish to be private. _Henry._ My being here, sir, was merely the effect of accident. I scorn intrusion. [_Bows._] But the important words are spoken--that chamber contains the mystery. [_Aside.--Exit._ _Handy, jun._ Who is that youth?