_Char._ But _little_ doubt! False Helen! Come, come, I know my Helen better. _Sir R._ I repeat my words, sir. It is not the curse of every parent to have a disobedient child. _Char._ By Heaven, sir, that reflection cuts me to the heart. You have ever found in me the obedience, nay more, the affection of a son, till circumstance on circumstance convinced me, I no longer possessed the affection of a father. _Sir R._ Charles, we are too warm. I feel that I have in some degree merited your severe reproof--give me your hand, and to convince you that you undervalue my feelings towards you, I will now confess that I have been employed during your absence, in planning an arrangement which will place you above the malice of fortune--you know our neighbour, Mrs. Richland-- _Char._ What, the gay widow with a fat jointure? What of her? _Sir R._ She will make not only a rich, but a good wife. I know she likes you--I'm sure of it. _Char._ Likes _me_! _Sir R._ I am convinced she does. _Char._ But--what the devil--she doesn't mean to marry me surely! _Sir R._ That will, I am convinced, depend upon yourself. _Char._ Will it? then by the Lord, though I sincerely esteem her, I shall make my bow, and decline the honour at once. No, sir; the heart is _my_ aim, and all the gold I care for in the hand that gives it, is the modest ring that encompasses the finger, and marks that hand as mine forever. _Sir R._ Thus I see another of my prospects blighted! Undutiful, degenerate boy! your folly and obstinacy will punish themselves. Answer me not; think of the proposal I have made you; obey your father's will, or forever I renounce you! [_Exit._ _Char._ Whoo! here's a whirligig! I've drifted on to a pleasant lee shore here! Helen betrothed to another! Impossible.--Oh Helen! Helen! Zounds! I'm going to make a soliloquy! this will never do! no, I'll see Helen; upbraid her falsehood; drop one tear to her memory; regain my frigate; seek the enemy; fight like a true sailor; die like a Briton; and leave my character and memory to my friends--and my blessing and forgiveness to Helen. [_Exit._ _End of act II._ ACT III. SCENE I.--_O'Dedimus's office. Ponder discovered._ _Ponder._ So! having executed my commission, let me _think_ a little (_sits down,_) for certain I and my master are two precious rogues (_pauses._) I wonder whether or not we shall be discovered, as assistants in this sham marriage (_pauses._) If we _are_, we shall be either transported or hanged, I wonder which:--My lord's bribe, however, was convenient; and in all cases of _conscience versus convenience_, 'tis the general rule of practice to nonsuit the plaintiff. Ha! who's here? The poor girl herself. (_Enter Fanny._) I pity her; but I've been bribed; so I must be honest.