_Count._ The Page! (_Turns away_) This damnable Page again?----Thus then is the Letter!----thus are my Suspicions realized at last!--I am now no longer astonished, Madam, at your emotion for your pretty Godson this morning!--The whole is unravelled!--Come forth, Viper! (_In great wrath._) _Countess._ (_Terrified and trembling_) Do not let the Disorder in which you will see him---- _Count._ The Disorder!--The Disorder! _Countess._ We were going to dress him in women’s cloaths for our evening’s diversion-- _Count._ I’ll stab him!--I’ll!--{{“And this is your indisposition!--This is why you would keep your Chamber all day! False, unworthy Woman! You shall keep it longer than you expected.”}}--I’ll make him a terrible example of an injured Husband’s wrath! _Countess._ (_Falling on her knees between the Count and the door_) Hold, my Lord, hold! Or let your anger light on me!--I, alone, am guilty! If there be any guilt--Have pity on his youth! His infancy! _Count._ What! Intercede for him!--On your knees!--And to me! There wanted but this!--I’ll rack him!--Rise!--I’ll (_Furiously._) _Countess._ Promise me to spare his life! _Count._ Rise! (_The Countess rises terrified, and sinks into an arm chair ready to faint._ _Countess._ He’ll murder him! _Count._ Come forth, I say, once more; or I’ll drag--(_While the Count is speaking, Susan unlocks the door and bolts out upon him._) _Susan._ I’ll stab him!--I’ll rack him! (_The Countess, at hearing Susan’s voice, recovers sufficiently to look round--Is astonished, endeavours to collect herself, and turns back into her former position to conceal her surprise._) _Countess._ (_After standing fixed some time, and first looking at Susan and then at the Countess_) Here’s a seminary!--And can you act astonishment too, Madam? (_Observing the Countess, who cannot totally hide her surprise._). _Countess._ _Attempting to speak_) I--My Lord-- _Count._ (_Recollecting himself._) But, perhaps, she was not alone. (_Enters the dressing-room, Countess again alarmed, Susan runs to the Countess._ _Susan._ Fear nothing--He is not there--He has jumped out of the window. _Countess._ And broke his neck! (_Her terror returns._) _Susan._ Hush! (_Susan claps herself bolt upright against her Lady, to hide her new disorder from the Count._) Hem! Hem! _Re-enter_ COUNT, (_greatly abashed_) _Count._ Nobody there!--I have been to blame--(_approaching the Countess_.) Madam!-- (_With great submission as if going to beg her pardon, but the confusion still visible in her countenance calls up the recollection of all that had just passed, and he bursts out into an exclamation._) Upon my soul, Madam, you are a most excellent Actress! _Susan._ And am not I too, my Lord? _Count._ You see my Confusion, Madam--be generous. _Susan._ As you have been.