_Doric._ Damn the world! What will the world give me for the loss of happiness? Must I sacrifice my peace, to please the world? _Sir Geo._ Yes, every thing, rather than be branded with dishonour. _Lady Fran._ Though _our_ arguments should fail, there _is_ a Pleader, whom you surely cannot withstand--the dying Mr. Hardy supplicates you not to forsake his Child. _Enter_ Villers. _Vill._ Mr. Hardy requests you to grant him a moment's conversation, Mr. Doricourt, though you should persist to send him miserable to the grave. Let me conduct you to his chamber. _Doric._ Oh, aye, any where; to the Antipodes--to the Moon--Carry me--Do with me what you will. _Mrs. Rack._ Mortification and disappointment, then, are specifics in a case of stubbornness.--I'll follow, and let you know what passes. [_Exeunt_ Villers, Doricourt, _Mrs._ Racket, _and Miss_ Ogle. _Flut._ Ladies, Ladies, have the charity to take me with you, that I may make no blunder in repeating the story. [_Exit_ Flutter. _Lady Fran._ Sir George, you don't know Mr. Saville. [_Exit Lady_ Frances. _Sir Geo._ Ten thousand pardons--but I will not pardon myself, for not observing you. I have been with the utmost impatience at your door twice to-day. _Sav._ I am concerned you had so much trouble, Sir George. _Sir Geo._ Trouble! what a word!--I hardly know how to address you; I am distressed beyond measure; and it is the highest proof of my opinion of your honour, and the delicacy of your mind, that I open my heart to you. _Sav._ What has disturbed you, Sir George? _Sir Geo._ Your having preserved Lady Frances, in so imminent a danger. Start not, Saville; to protect Lady Frances, was my right. You have wrested from me my dearest privilege. _Sav._ I hardly know how to answer such a reproach. I cannot apologize for what I have done. _Sir Geo._ I do not mean to reproach you; I hardly know what I mean. There is one method by which you may restore peace to me; I cannot endure that my Wife should be so infinitely indebted to any man who is less than my Brother. _Sav._ Pray explain yourself. _Sir Geo._ I have a Sister, Saville, who is amiable; and you are worthy of her. I shail give her a commission to steal your heart, out of revenge for what you have done. _Sav._ I am infinitely honoured, Sir George; but---- _Sir Geo._ I cannot listen to a sentence which begins with so unpromising a word. You must go with us into Hampshire; and, if you see each other with the eyes I do, your felicity will be complete. I know no one, to whose heart I would so readily commit the care of my Sister's happiness. _Sav._ I will attend you to Hampshire, with pleasure; but not on the plan of retirement. Society has claims on Lady Frances, that forbid it. _Sir Geo._ Claims, Saville!