_Lady E._ A woman of ingenuous discretion, and a man of unaffected integrity. _Sir C._ Hah! _Mrs. Blandish._ What can she mean? _Miss Als._ Nothing good--she looks so pleasant. _Lady E._ Come forth, my injured friend. Our personal acquaintance has been short, but our hearts were intimate from the first sight. [_Presenting her._] Your prisoner, sir, is Miss Harriet Clifford. _Sir C._ Clifford's sister! _Miss Als._ What, the run-away Alton, turned into a sprig of quality. _Lady E._ [_Disdainfully to MISS ALSCRIP._] The humble dependent of Alscrip house--The wanton--the paragon of fraud--the only female that can equal Clifford. [_Tauntingly to SIR CLEMENT._] She is indeed! [_With Emphasis and Affection._ _Blandish._ [_Aside._] Oh, rot the source of the family fondness--I see I have no card left in my favour--but the heiress. [_Goes to her and pays Court--During this Conversation, aside, LADY EMILY seems encouraging MISS CLIFFORD.--SIR CLEMENT musing, and by Turns examining her._] _Sir C._ [_To himself._] "Ingenuous discretion!" _Enter CLIFFORD, and runs to his Sister._ _Cliff._ My dearest Harriet! the joy I purposed in presenting you here, is anticipated: but, my blameless fugitive! when your story is known, my pride in you will not be a wonder.--Miss Clifford, behold your persecutor and your convert. _Enter LORD GAYVILLE._ _Lord G._ [_With Rapture._] Her persecutor and her convert. Her virtues, which no humility could conceal, and every trial made more resplendent, discovered, disgraced, and reclaimed a libertine.-- _Miss Cliff._ How am I distressed!--what ought I to answer? _Lord G._ Impressed sentiment upon desire, gave honour to passion, and drew from my soul a vow, which Heaven chastise me when I violate, to obtain her by a legal, sacred claim, or renounce fortune, family and friends, and become a self-devoted outcast of the world. _Miss Cliff._ Oh! brother, interpose. _Sir C._ My lord, your fortune, family and friends are much obliged to you. Your part is perfect--Mr. Clifford, you are called upon. Miss, in strict propriety, throws the business upon her relations--Come, finish the comedy, join one of her hands to the gallant's, while, with the other, she covers her blushes--and he in rapture delivers the moral. All for Love, or, the World well lost. [_MISS CLIFFORD still appears agitated._ _Cliff._ Be patient, my Harriet, this is the school for prejudice, and the lesson of its shame is near.