_Mrs. H._ What has thus alarmed and subdued me? My tears flow; my heart bleeds. Already had I apparently overcome my chagrin: already had I at least assumed that easy gaiety once so natural to me, when the sight of this child in an instant overpowered me. When the Countess called him William--Oh! she knew not that she plunged a poniard in my heart. I have a William too, who must be as tall as this, if he be still alive. Ah! yes, if he be still alive. His little sister too! Why, fancy, dost thou rack me thus? Why dost thou image my poor children, fainting in sickness, and crying to their mother? To the mother who has abandoned them? [_Weeps._] What a wretched outcast am I! And that just to-day I should be doomed to feel these horrible emotions! just to-day, when disguise was so necessary. _Enter CHARLOTTE._ _Char._ [_Entering._] Very pretty, very pretty indeed; better send me to the garret at once. Your servant, Mrs. Haller. I beg, madam, I may have a room fit for a respectable person. _Mrs. H._ The chamber into which you have been shown is, I think, a very neat one. _Char._ A very neat one, is it? Up the back stairs, and over the laundry! I should never be able to close my eyes. _Mrs. H._ [_Very mildly._] I slept there a whole year. _Char._ Did you? Then I advise you to remove into it again, and the sooner the better. I'd have you to know, madam, there is a material difference between certain persons and certain persons. Much depends upon the manner in which one has been educated. I think, madam, it would only be proper if you resigned your room to me. _Mrs. H._ If the Countess desires it, certainly. _Char._ The Countess! Very pretty, indeed! Would you have me think of plaguing her ladyship with such trifles? I shall order my trunk to be carried where-ever I please. _Mrs. H._ Certainly; only not into my chamber. _Char._ Provoking creature! But how could I expect to find breeding among creatures born of one knows not whom, and coming one knows not whence? _Mrs. H._ The remark is very just. _Enter PETER, in haste._ _Pet._ Oh lud! Oh lud! Oh lud! Oh lud! _Mrs. H._ What's the matter? _Pet._ The child has fallen into the river! His little Excellency is drowned! _Mrs. H._ Who? What? _Pet._ His honour, my young master! _Mrs. H._ Drowned? _Pet._ Yes. _Mrs. H._ Dead? _Pet._ No; he's not dead. _Mrs. H._ Well, well, then softly;--you will alarm the Countess. _Enter the BARON._ _Bar._ What is the matter? Why all this noise? _Pet._ Noise? why-- _Mrs. H._ Be not alarmed, my lord. Whatever may have happened, the dear child is now at least safe. You said so, I think, master Peter? _Pet._ Why, to be sure, his little Excellency is not hurt; but he's very wet though: and the Count is taking him by the garden door to the house. _Bar._ Right, that the countess may not be alarmed. But tell us, young man, how could it happen? _Pet._ From beginning to end? _Mrs. H._ Never mind particulars. You attended the dear child?