_Tob._ Yes!--Smile if you please: but hear me. My benefactress once came to my hut herself, some time before you fixed here. The poor animal, unused to see the form of elegance and beauty enter the door of penury, growled at her.--"I wonder you keep that surly, ugly animal, Mr. Tobias," said she; "you, who have hardly food enough for yourself."--"Ah, madam," I replied, "if I part with him, are you sure that any thing else will love me?"--She was pleased with my answer. _Fra._ [_To STRANGER._] Excuse me, sir; but I wish you had listened. _Stra._ I have listened. _Fra._ Then, sir, I wish you would follow this poor old man's example. _Stra._ [_Pauses._] Here; take this book, and lay it on my desk. [_Francis goes into the Lodge with the book._] How much has this Mrs. Haller given you? _Tob._ Oh, sir, she has given me so much, that I can look towards winter without fear. _Stra._ No more? _Tob._ What could I do with more?--Ah! true; I might-- _Stra._ I know it.--You might buy your son's release.--There! [_Presses a purse into his hand, and exit._ _Tob._ What is all this? [_Opens the purse, and finds it full of gold._] Merciful Heaven!-- _Enter FRANCIS._ --Now look, sir: is confidence in Heaven unrewarded? _Fra._ I wish you joy! My master gave you this! _Tob._ Yes, your noble master. Heaven reward him! _Fra._ Just like him. He sent me with his book, that no one might be witness to his bounty. _Tob._ He would not even take my thanks. He was gone before I could speak. _Fra._ Just his way. _Tob._ Now, I'll go as quick as these old legs will bear me. What a delightful errand! I go to release my Robert! How the lad will rejoice! There is a girl too, in the village, that will rejoice with him. O Providence, how good art thou! Years of distress never can efface the recollection of former happiness; but one joyful moment drives from the memory an age of misery. [_Exit._ _Fra._ [_Looks after him._] Why am I not wealthy? 'Sdeath! why am I not a prince! I never thought myself envious; but I feel I am. Yes, I must envy those who, with the will, have the power to do good. [_Exit._ SCENE II. _An Antichamber in Wintersen Castle._ _Enter SUSAN, meeting Footmen with table and chairs._ _Susan._ Why, George! Harry! where have you been loitering? Put down these things. Mrs. Haller has been calling for you this half hour. _Geo._ Well, here I am then. What does she want with me? _Susan._ That she will tell you herself. Here she comes. _Enter MRS. HALLER, (with a letter, a MAID following._