_Helen._ Why, I mean that in order to ruin a poor innocent girl, in our neighbourhood, this amiable lord has prevailed on her to consent to a private marriage--and it now comes out that it was all a mock marriage, performed by a sham priest, and a false license! _Lady W._ I don't believe one word of it. _Sir W._ But I do--and shall inquire into it immediately. _Lady W._ Such a match for your daughter is not to be relinquished on slight grounds; and though his lordship should have been guilty of some indiscretion, it will not alter my resolution respecting his union with Helen. _Sir W._ No--but it will mine--and to prove to you, madam, that however you may rule your household, you shall no longer rule _me_--if the story has any foundation--I say--she _shall not_ marry lord Austencourt. _Lady W._ Shall not? _Sir W._ No, Madam, shall not--and so ends your management, and thus begins my career of new-born authority. I'm out of leading-strings now, and madam, I'll manage you, damn me if--I--do--not! [_Exit Sir Willoughby._ _Helen_ (_to Lady W._) You hear papa's _will_ on that head, ma'am. _Lady W._ I hear nothing!--I see nothing!--I shall go mad with vexation and disappointment, and if I do not break his resolution, I am determined to break his heart; and my _own_ heart, and _your_ heart, and the hearts of all the rest of the family. [_Exit._ _Helen._ There she goes, with a laudable matrimonial resolution. Heigho! with such an example before my eyes, I believe I shall never have resolution to die an old maid. Oh, Charles, Charles--why did you take me at my word!--Bless me! sure I saw him then--'tis he indeed! So, my gentleman, are you there? I'll just retire and watch his motions a little (_retires._) _Enter Charles Austencourt, cautiously._ _Charles._ What a pretty state am I reduced to? though I am resolved to speak with this ungrateful girl but once more before I leave her for ever; here am I, skulking under the enemy's batteries as though I was afraid of an encounter!--Yes, I'll see her, upbraid her, and then leave her for ever! heigho! she's a false, deceitful--dear, bewitching girl, and--however, I am resolved that nothing on earth--not even her tears, shall now induce me to forgive her. (_Tiffany crosses the stage._) _Charles._ Ha!--harkye, young woman! pray are the family at home? _Tiffany._ My lady is at home, sir--would you please to see her? _Charles._ Your lady--do you mean your _young_ lady? _Tiffany._ No, sir, I mean my _lady_. _Charles._ What, your _old_ lady?--No--I don't wish to see her. Are all the rest of the family from home-- _Tiffany._ No, sir--sir Willoughby is within--I'll tell him you are here. (_going._) _Charles._ By no means--stay--stay! what then, they are all at home except Miss Helen. _Tiffany._ She's at home too, sir--but I suppose she don't wish to see you. _Charles._ _You suppose!_ _Tiffany._ I'm sure she's been in a monstrous ill-humour ever since you came back, sir.