_Sir Per._ Enough.--I am satisfied,--You make me young again.--Your prudence has brought tears of joy fra my very vitals.--I was afraid you were fascinated with the charms of a crack.--Do you ken this hand? _Eger._ Mighty well, sir. _Sir Per._ And you, madam. _Lady Mac._ As well as I do my own, sir.--It is Constantia's. _Sir Per._ It is so; and a better evidence it is than any that can be given by the human tongue. Here is a warm, rapturous, lascivious letter under the hypocritical syren's ain hand--her ain hand, sir. _Eger._ Pray, sir, let us hear it. _Sir Per._ Ay, ay;--here--take and read it yourself.--Eloisa never writ a warmer nor a ranker to her Abelard--but judge yourselves. _Eger._ [_Reads._] 'I have only time to tell you, that the family came down sooner than I expected, and that I cannot bless my eyes with the sight of you till the evening.--The notes, and jewels, which the bearer of this will deliver to you, were presented to me, since I saw you, by the son of my benefactor'-- _Sir Per._ [_Interrupts him by his remarks._] Now mark. _Eger._ [_Reads._] 'All which I beg you will convert to your immediate use'-- _Sir Per._ Mark, I say. _Eger._ [_Reads._] 'For my heart has no room for any wish or fortune, but what contributes to your relief and happiness'-- _Sir Per._ Oh! Charles, Charles, do you see, sir, what a dupe she makes of you? But mark what follows. _Eger._ [_Reads._] 'O! how I long to throw myself into your dear, dear arms; to sooth your fears, your apprehensions, and your sorrows'-- _Sir Per._ I suppose the spark has heard of your offering to marry her, and is jealous of you. _Eger._ Sir, I can only say I am astonished. _Lady Mac._ It is incredible. _Sir Per._ Stay, stay, read it out--read it out, pray: ah! she is a subtle devil. _Eger._ [_Reads._] 'I have something to tell you of the utmost moment, but will reserve it till we meet this evening in the dark walk'-- _Sir Per._ In the dark walk--in the dark walk--ah! an evil-eyed curse upon her! yes, yes! she has been often in the dark walk, I believe:--But, read on. _Eger._ [_Reads._] 'In the mean time banish all fears, and hope the best from fortune, and your ever dutiful CONSTANTIA HARRINGTON.' _Sir Per._ There--there's a warm epistle for you! in short, the hussy, you must know, is married till the fellow. _Eger._ Not unlikely, sir. _Lady Mac._ Indeed, by her letter, I believe she is. _Sir Per._ Nay, I know she is: but look at the hand--peruse it--convince yourselves. _Eger._ Yes, yes, it is her hand; I know it well, sir. _Sir Per._ Madam, will you look at it? perhaps it may be forged. _Lady Mac._ No, sir, it is no forgery.--Well! after this, I think I shall never trust human nature. _Sir Per._ Now, madam, what amends can you make me for countenancing your son's passion for sic a strumpet? And you, sir, what have you to say for your disobedience and your frenzy? O! Charles, Charles--