_Helen._ Why, what can be the matter now? your lordship seems quite melancholy on a sudden. _Lord A._ I, madam! oh no!--or if I am--'tis merely a head ach, or some such cause, or perhaps owing to the influence of the weather. _Helen._ Your lordship is a very susceptible barometer--when you entered this room your countenance was _set fair_; but now I see the index points to _stormy_. _Lord A._ Madam, you have company, or business--a good morning to you. _Helen._ Stay, stay, my lord. _Lord A._ Excuse me at present, I have an important affair--another time. _Helen._ Surely, my lord, the arrival of this innocent girl does not drive you away! _Lord A._ Bless me, madam, what an idea! certainly not; but I have just recollected an engagement of consequence--some other time--Madam, your most obedient-- [_Exit._ _Enter_ Fanny. _Fan._ I beg pardon, madam, I'm fearful I intrude; but I inquired for sir Willoughby, and they showed me to this room. I wished to speak with him on particular business--your servant, madam. _Hel._ Pray stay, my good girl--I rejoice in this opportunity of becoming acquainted with you--the character I have heard of you has excited an affectionate interest--you must allow me to become your friend. _Fanny._ Indeed, indeed, madam, I am in want of friends; but you can never be one of them. _Helen._ No! Why so? _Fan._ You, madam! Oh no--you are the only enemy I ever had. _Hel._ Enemy! This is very extraordinary! I have scarce ever seen you before--Assuredly I never injured you. _Fan._ Heaven forbid I should wish any one to injure you as deeply. _Hel._ I cannot understand you--pray explain yourself. _Fan._ That's impossible, madam--my lord would never forgive me. _Hel._ Your lord! Let me entreat you to explain your meaning. _Fan._ I cannot, madam; I came hither on business of importance, and no trifling business should have brought me to a house inhabited by one who is the cause of all my wretchedness. _Hel._ This is a very extraordinary affair! There is a mixture of cultivation and simplicity in your manner that affects me strongly--I see, my poor girl, you are distressed; and though what you have said leaves on my mind a painful suspicion-- _Fan._ Oh heavens, madam! stay, I beseech you!--I am not what you think me, indeed I am not--I must not, for a moment, let you think of me so injuriously: yet I have promised secrecy! but sure no promise can be binding, when to keep it we must sacrifice all that is valuable in life--hear me, then madam--the struggle is violent; but I owe it to myself to acknowledge all. _Hel._ No, no, my dear girl! I now see what it would cost you to reveal your secret, and I will not listen to it; rest assured, I have no longer a thought to your disadvantage: curiosity gives place to interest: for though 'tis cruelty to inflict a wound, 'tis still more deliberate barbarity to probe when we cannot hope to heal it. (_going._)