_Lady Rod_. [_Starts up, and runs to him._] That's right,--that is right, cousin;--honourably and affectionately right;--that is what I like of aw things in my swain.--Ay, ay, cousin--open your mind frankly till me, as a true lover shou'd.--But sit you down--sit you down again: I shall return your frankness and your passion, cousin, with a melting tenderness, equal till the amorous enthusiasm of an ancient heroine. _Eger_. Madam, if you will hear me---- _Lady Rod_. But, remember, you must begin with fervency,--and a most rapturous vehemency:--for you are to consider, cousin, that our match is nai to arise fra the union of hearts, and a long decorum of ceremonious courtship;--but is instantly to start at once--out of necessity, or mere accident;--ha, ha, ha! like a match in an ancient romance,--where you ken, cousin,--the knight and the damsel are mutually smitten and dying for each other at first sight,--or by an amorous sympathy before they exchange a single glance. _Eger_. Dear madam, you entirely mistake---- _Lady Rod_. And our fathers,--ha, ha, ha! our fathers are to be the dark magicians that are to fascinate our hearts and conjure us together, whether we will or not. _Eger_. Ridiculous! _Lady Rod_. So now, cousin, with the true romantic enthusiasm,--you are to suppose me the lady of the enchanted castle, and you--ha, ha, ha! you are to be the knight of the sorrowful countenance--ha, ha, ha! and, upon honour--you look the character admirably;--ha, ha, ha! _Eger_. Rude trifling creature! _Lady Rod_. Come, sir,--why do you nai begin to ravish me with your valour, your vows, your knight errantry, and your amorous phrenzy.--Nay, nay, nay! guin you do nai begin at once, the lady of the enchanted castle will vanish in a twinkling. _Eger_. Lady Rodolpha, I know your talent for raillery well;--but at present, in my case, there is a kind of cruelty in it. _Lady Rod_. Raillery! upon honour, cousin, you mistake me quite and clean.--I am serious--very serious;--ay, and I have cause to be serious;-- nay, I will submit my case even till yourself. [_Whines_.] Can any poor lassy be in a more lamentable condition, than to be sent four hundred miles, by the command of a positive grandmother, to marry a man, who I find has no more affection for me,--than if I had been his wife these seven years. _Eger_. Madam, I am extremely sorry---- _Lady Rod_. [_Cries and sobs_.] But it is vary weel, cousin.--I see your unkindness and aversion plain enough,--and, sir, I must tell you fairly, you are the ainly man that ever slighted my person,--or that drew tears fra these een.--But--it is vary weel--it's vary weel--I will return till Scotland to-morrow morning, and let my grandmother know how I have been affronted by your slights, your contempts, and your aversions.