_Fanny._ Do not command me from you; I see your heart is softened by my tears; cherish the stranger Pity in your breast; 'tis noble, excellent! Such pity in itself is virtue! Oh, cherish it, my lord! nor let the selfish feelings of the world step in to smother it! Now! now, while it glows unstifled in your heart! now, ere it dies, to be revived no more, at once proclaim the triumph of your virtue, and receive into your arms a fond and an acknowledged wife! _Lord A._ Ha! impossible! Urge me no more! I cannot, will not hear you--My heart has ever been your own, my _hand must_ be another's; still we may love each other; still we may sometimes meet. _Fanny_ (_after a struggle._) I understand you! No, sir! Since it must be, we will meet no more! I know that there are laws; but to these laws I disdain to fly! Mine is an injury that cannot be redressed; for the only mortal witnesses to our union you have suborned: the laws, therefore, cannot do me justice, and I will never, inhuman as you are, I will never seek them for revenge. [_Exit._ _O'Ded_ (_aside._) I'm thinking, that if I was a lord, I should act in a clean _contrary_ way; by the powers now, that man has got what I call a tough constitution; his heart's made of stone like a brick wall--Oh! that a man should have the power of a man, and not know how to behave like a man! _Lord A._ What's to be done? speak, advise me! _O'Ded._ That's it: have you made up your mind already, that you ask me to advise you? _Lord A._ I know not how to act. _O'Ded._ When a man's in doubt whether he should act as an honest man or a rogue, there are two or three small reasons for choosing the right side. _Lord A._ What is't you mean, sir? _O'Ded._ I mean this thing--that as I suppose you're in doubt whether to persecute the poor souls, or to marry the sweet girl in right earnest. _Lord A._ Marry her! I have no such thoughts--idiot! _O'Ded._ Idiot! That's no proof of your lordship's wisdom to come and ask advice of one.--Idiot, by St. Patrick! an idiot's a fool, and that's a Christian name was never sprinkled upon Cornelius O'Dedimus, attorney at law! _Lord A._ I can feel for the unfortunate girl as well as you; but the idea of marrying her is too ridiculous. _O'Ded._ The unfortunate girl never knew misfortune till she knew you, my lord; and I heartily wish your lordship may never look more ridiculous than you would do in performing an act of justice and mercy. _Lord A._ You presume strangely, sir, on my confidence and condescension! _O'Ded._ What! are you coming over me now with the pride of your condescension. _That_ for your condescension! When a great man, my lord, does me the honour to confide in me, he'll find me trusty and respectful; but when he condescends to make me an agent and a partner in his iniquity, by your leave from that moment there's an end of distinction between us. _Lord A._ There's no enduring this! Scoundrel!