[_Lady_ Rodolpha _stands at that side of the Stage, where they went off, in amazement:_ Egerton _is at the opposite side, who, after some anxious emotion, settles into a deep reflection:--this part of the scene must be managed by a nice whispering tone of self-conversation mutually observed by the Lovers._] _Lady Rod_. [_Aside._] Why, this is downright tyranny! it has quite dampt my spirits; and my betrothed, yonder, seems planet-struck too, I think. _Eger_. [_Aside._] A whimsical situation, mine! _Lady Rod_. [_Aside._] Ha, ha, ha! methinks we look like a couple of cautious generals, that are obliged to take the field, but neither of us seems willing to come till action. _Eger_. [_Aside._] I protest, I know not how to address her. _Lady Rod_. [_Aside._] He will nai advance, I see: what am I to do in this affair? guid traith, I will even do, as I suppose many brave heroes have done before me,--clap a guid face upon the matter, and so conceal an aching heart under a swaggering countenance. [_As she advances, she points at him, and smothers a laugh; but when she speaks to him, the tone must be_ loud, _and rude on the word_ Sir.] _Sir_, as we have,--by the commands of our guid fathers, a business of some little consequence to transact,--I hope you will excuse my taking the liberty of recommending a chair till you, for the repose of your body--in the embarrassed deliberation of your perturbed spirits. _Eger_. [_Greatly embarrassed._] Madam, I beg your pardon. [_Hands her a chair, then one for himself._] Please to sit, madam. [_They sit down with great ceremony: she sits down first. He sits at a distance from her. They are silent for some time. He coughs, hems, and adjusts himself. She mimicks him._] _Lady Rod_. [_Aside._] Aha! he's resolved not to come too near till me, I think. _Eger_. [_Aside._] A pleasant interview, this--hem, hem! _Lady Rod_. [_Aside, mimicks him to herself._] Hem! he will not open the congress, I see.--Then I will.--[_very loud._] _Come, sir_, when will you begin? _Eger_. [_Greatly surprised._] Begin! what, madam? _Lady Rod_. To make love till me. _Eger_. Love, madam! _Lady Rod_. Ay, love, sir.--Why, you have never said a word till me on the subject,--nor cast a single glance at me,--nor heaved one tender sigh,--nor even secretly squeezed my loof:--now, sir, thof our fathers are so tyrannical as to dispose of us without the consent of our hearts;--yet you, sir, I hope, have more humanity than to think of marrying me without administering some of the preliminaries, usual on those occasions:--if not till my understanding and sentiments, yet till the vanity of my sex, at least, I hope you will pay some little tribute of ceremony and adulation: that, I think, I have a right to expect. _Eger_. Madam, I own your reproach is just:--I shall therefore no longer disguise my sentiments, but fairly let you know my heart.