_Cliff._ I knew it not myself, till the strange concurrence of circumstances, to which you were in part witness a few hours since, brought it to light. I meant to impart to you the discovery, when my temper took fire--Let us bury our mutual errors in the thought, that we now for life are friends. _Lord G._ Brothers, Clifford--Let us interchange that title, and doubly, doubly ratify it. Unite me to your charming sister; accept the hand of Lady Emily in return--her heart I have discovered to be yours----We'll leave the world to the sordid and the tasteless; let an Alscrip, or a Sir Clement Flint, wander after the phantom of happiness, we shall find her real retreat, and hold her by the bonds she covets, virtue, love, and friendship. _Cliff._ Not a word more, my lord, the bars against your proposal are insuperable. _Lord G._ What bars? _Cliff._ Honour! Propriety--and pride. _Lord G._ Pride, Clifford! _Cliff._ Yes, my lord; Harriet Clifford shall not steal the hand of a prince; nor will I--though doting on Lady Emily with a passion like your own, bear the idea of a clandestine union in a family, to whom I am bound by obligation and trust. Indeed, my lord, without Sir Clement's consent, you must think no more of my sister. _Lord G._ Stern stoic, but I will, and not clandestinely; I'll instantly to Sir Clement. _Cliff._ Do not be rash; Fortune, or some better agent, is working in wonders--Meet me presently at your uncle's; in the mean while promise not to stir in this business. _Lord G._ What hope from delay? _Cliff._ Promise-- _Lord G._ I am in a state to catch at shadows----I'll try to obey you. _Cliff._ Farewell!---- [_Exeunt._ SCENE III. _SIR CLEMENT's House._ _Enter MISS ALSCRIP, in great Spirits, followed by MRS. BLANDISH._ _Miss Als._ I am delighted at this summons from Sir Clement, Blandish; poor old clear-sight, I hope he has projected a reconciliation. _Mrs. Blandish._ How I rejoice to see those smiles returned to the face that was made for them! _Miss Als._ Returned, Blandish? I desire you will not insinuate it ever was without them--Why sure, you would not have the world imagine the temper of an heiress of my class, was to be ruffled by the loss of a paltry earl--I have been highly diverted with what has passed from beginning to end. _Mrs. Blandish._ Well, if good humour can be a fault, sure the excess you carry it to must be the example. _Miss Als._ I desire it may be made known in all companies, that I have done nothing but laugh--nay, it is true too. _Mrs. Blandish._ My dear creature, of what consequence is the truth, when you are charging me with the execution of your desires? _Miss Als._ But did you remember the airs of the moppet--Could any thing be more ridiculous? _Mrs. Blandish._ The rivalship you mean----Rival Miss Alscrip.--He! he! he! [_Half laugh._