_Fra._ Can't serve you. _Bar._ Why not? _Fra._ It's forbidden. _Bar._ [_Offers money._] There! announce me. _Fra._ Want no money. _Bar._ Well, only announce me then. _Fra._ I will announce you, sir; but it won't avail! I shall be abused, and you rejected. However, we can but try. [_Going._ _Bar._ I only ask half a minute. [_FRANCIS goes into the Lodge._] But when he comes, how am I to treat him? I never encountered a misanthrope before. I have heard of instructions as to conduct in society; but how I am to behave towards a being who loathes the whole world, and his own existence, I have never learned. _Enter the STRANGER._ _Stra._ Now; what's your will? _Bar._ I beg pardon, sir, for--[_Suddenly recognizing him._] Charles! _Stra._ Steinfort! [_They embrace._ _Bar._ Is it really you, my dear friend? _Stra._ It is. _Bar._ Merciful Heavens! How you are altered! _Stra._ The hand of misery lies heavy on me.--But how came you here? What want you? _Bar._ Strange! Here was I ruminating how to address this mysterious recluse: he appears, and proves to be my old and dearest friend. _Stra._ Then you were not in search of me, nor knew that I lived here? _Bar._ As little as I know who lives on the summit of Caucasus. You this morning saved the life of my brother-in-law's only son: a grateful family wishes to behold you in its circle. You refused my sister's messenger; therefore, to give more weight to the invitation, I was deputed to be the bearer of it. And thus has fortune restored to me a friend, whom my heart has so long missed, and whom my heart just now so much requires. _Stra._ Yes, I am your friend; your sincere friend. You are a true man; an uncommon man. Towards you my heart is still the same. But if this assurance be of any value to you--go--leave me--and return no more. _Bar._ Stay! All that I see and hear of you is inexplicable. 'Tis you; but these, alas! are not the features which once enchanted every female bosom, beamed gaiety through all society, and won you friends before your lips were opened! Why do you avert your face? Is the sight of a friend become hateful? Or, do you fear, that I should read in your eye what passes in your soul? Where is that open look of fire, which at once penetrated into every heart, and revealed your own? _Stra._ [_With asperity._] My look penetrate into every heart!--Ha! ha! ha! _Bar._ Oh, Heavens! Rather may I never hear you laugh than in such a tone!--For Heaven's sake tell me, Charles! tell me, I conjure you, what has happened to you? _Stra._ Things that happen every day; occurrences heard of in every street. Steinfort, if I am not to hate you, ask me not another question. If I am to love you, leave me.