_Miss Ogle._ I' my conscience, the Widow speaks as though she'd give cap, ears, and all for him. (_Aside._) I wonder you didn't try to catch this wonderful Man, Mrs. Racket? _Mrs. Rack._ Really, Miss Ogle, I had not time. Besides, when I marry, so many stout young fellows will hang themselves, that, out of regard to society, in these sad times, I shall postpone it for a few years. This will cost her a new lace--I heard it crack. (_Aside._) _Enter Sir_ George, _and Lady_ Frances. _Sir Geo._ Well, here we are.--But where's the Knight of the Woeful Countenance? _Mrs. Rack._ Here soon, I hope--for a woeful Night it will be without him. _Sir Geo._ Oh, fie! do you condescend to pun? _Mrs. Rack._ Why not? It requires genius to make a good pun--some men of bright parts can't reach it. I know a Lawyer who writes them on the back of his briefs; and says they are of great use--in a dry cause. _Enter_ Flutter. _Flut._ Here they come!--Here they come!----Their coach stopped, as mine drove off. _Lady Fran._ Then Miss Hardy's fate is at a crisis.--She plays a hazardous game, and I tremble for her. _Sav._ (_without_) Come, let me guide you!--This way, my poor Friend! Why are you so furious? _Doric._ (_without_) The House of Death--to the House of Death! _Enter_ Doricourt, _and_ Saville. Ah! this is the spot! _Lady Fran._ How wild and fiery he looks! _Miss Ogle._ Now, I think, he looks terrified. _Flut._ Poor creature, how his eyes work! _Mrs. Rack._ I never saw a Madman before--Let me examine him--Will he bite? _Sav._ Pray keep out of his reach, Ladies--You don't know your danger. He's like a Wild Cat, if a sudden thought seises him. _Sir Geo._ You talk like a Keeper of Wild Cats--How much do you demand for shewing the Monster? _Doric._ I don't like this--I must rouse their sensibility. There! there she darts through the air in liquid flames! Down again! Now I have her----Oh, she burns, she scorches!--Oh! she eats into my very heart! _Omnes._ Ha! ha! ha! _Mrs. Rack._ He sees the Apparition of the wicked Italian Princess. _Flut._ Keep her Highness fast, Doricourt. _Miss Ogle._ Give her a pinch, before you let her go. _Doric._ I am laughed at! _Mrs. Rack._ Laughed at--aye, to be sure; why, I could play the Madman better than you.--There! there she is! Now I have her! Ha! ha! ha! _Doric._ I knew that Devil would discover me. (_Aside_) I'll leave the house:----I'm covered with confusion. (_Going._) _Sir Geo._ Stay, Sir--You must not go. 'Twas poorly done, Mr. Doricourt, to affect madness, rather than fulfil your engagements. _Doric._ Affect madness!--Saville, what can I do? _Sav._ Since you are discovered, confess the whole. _Miss Ogle._ Aye, turn Evidence, and save Yourself. _Doric._ Yes; since my designs have been so unaccountably discovered, I will avow the whole. I cannot love Miss Hardy--and I will never---- _Sav._ Hold, my dear Doricourt! be not so rash. What will the world say to such----