_Eger_. If you are serious, madam, your distress gives me a deep concern;--but affection is not in our power; and when you know that my heart is irrecoverably given to another woman, I think, your understanding and good nature will not only pardon my past coldness and neglect of you,--but forgive me when I tell you, I never can have that honour which is intended me,--by a connection with your ladyship. _Lady Rod_. [_Starting up_.] How, sir!--are you serious? _Eger_. [_Rises_.] Madam, I am too deeply interested, both as a man of honour and a lover, to act otherwise with you on so tender a subject. _Lady Rod_. And so you persist in slighting me? _Eger_. I beg your pardon, madam; but I must be explicit, and at once declare--that I never can give my hand where I cannot give my heart. _Lady Rod_. [_In great anger_.] Why then, sir, I must tell you, that your declaration is sic an affront as nai woman of spirit can, or ought to bear:--and here I make a solemn vow, never to pardon it, but on one condition. _Eger_. If that condition be in my power, madam---- _Lady Rod_. [_Snaps him up_.] Sir, it is in your power. _Eger_. Then, madam, you may command me. _Lady Rod_. [_With a firm peremptory command_]. Why then, sir, the condition is this;--you must here give me your honour,--that nai importunity,--command,--or menace of your father,--in fine, that nai consideration whatever,--shall induce you to take me, Rodolpha Lumbercourt, to be your wedded wife. _Eger_. Madam, I most solemnly promise, I never will. _Lady Rod_. And I, sir, most solemnly, and sincerely [_Curtsies._] thank you--for [_Curtsies._] your resolution, and your agreeable aversion--ha, ha, ha! for you have made me as happy as a poor wretch, reprieved in the vary instant of intended execution. _Eger_. Pray, madam, how am I to understand all this? _Lady Rod._[_With frankness, and, a reverse of manners_.] Why, sir, your frankness and sincerity demand the same behaviour on my side;--therefore, without farther disguise or ambiguity, know, sir, that I myself [_With a deep sigh_.] am as deeply smitten with a certain swain, as I understand you are with your Constantia. _Eger_. Indeed, madam! _Lady Rod_. [_With an amiable, soft, tender sincerity_.] O! sir, notwithstanding aw my shew of courage and mirth,--here I stand--as errant a trembling Thisbe, as ever sighed or mourned for her Pyramus,--and, sir, aw my extravagant levity and ridiculous behaviour in your presence now, and ever since _your_ father prevailed upon _mine_ to consent till this match, has been a premeditated scheme to provoke your gravity and guid sense intill a cordial disgust, and a positive refusal. _Eger_. Madam, you have contrived and executed your scheme most happily.