_L'Ec._ "_Peerless_" I grant the lady, but as to her being "_priceless_," I should think for my own poor particular, that when I bartered my liberty for a comely bedfellow, I was paying full value for my goods, besides a swinging overcharge for the fashion of the make. _Flor._ Tush! man, 'tis not by form or feature I compute my prize. Geraldine's _mind_, not her beauty, is the magnet of my love. The _graces_ are the fugitive handmaids of youth, and dress their charge with flowers as fleeting as they are fair; but the _virtues_ faithfully o'erwatch the couch of age, and when the flaunting rose has wither'd, twine the cheerful evergreen, crowning true lovers freshly to the last! [_Exit._ _L'Ec._ "True lovers!" well, now I love Love, myself, particularly when 'tis mix'd with brandy! like the loves of the landlady of Lisle, and the bandy-legg'd captain.[*] SONG. A landlady of France, she loved an officer, 'tis said, And this officer he dearly loved her brandy, oh! Sigh'd she, "I love this officer, although his nose is red, And his legs are what his regiment call bandy, oh!" 2 But when the bandy officer was order'd to the coast; How she tore her lovely locks that look'd so sandy, oh! "Adieu my soul!" said she, "if you write, pray pay the post, But before we part, let's take a drop of brandy, oh!" 3 She fill'd him out a bumper, just before he left the town, And another for herself, so neat and handy, oh! So they kept their spirits up, by their pouring spirits down, For love is, like the cholic, cured with brandy, oh! 4 "Take a bottle on't," said she, "for you're going into camp; In your tent, you know, my love, 'twill be the dandy, oh!" "You're right," says he, "my life! for a tent is very damp; And 'tis better, with my tent, to take some brandy, oh!" [Footnote: For this speech, and the song that follows, the author is indebted to the pen of George Colman, Esq.] SCENE II.--_The Cottage._ Enter _Monica_ and _Bertrand_. _Mon._ In truth, sir, I have told you every circumstance I know concerning my poor lodger. But wherefore so particular in your inquiries? _Bert._ Trust me, I have important motives for my curiosity. Seventeen years ago, I think you said: and in the woods near _Albi_? _Mon._ Ay, ay, I was accurate both in time and place. _Bert._ Every incident concurs. Gracious heaven! should it prove--my good woman, I suspect this unfortunate person is known to me; bring me directly to the sight of her! _Mon._ Hold! sir, I must know you better first. I fear me, this poor creature has been hardly dealt with; who knows, but you may be her enemy? _Bert._ No, no, her friend; her firm and faithful friend: suspence distracts me: lead me to her presence instantly!