_Mrs. H._ Very well; if those things are done, let the drawing room be made ready immediately.--[_Exit MAIDS._] And, George, run immediately into the park, and tell Mr. Solomon I wish to speak with him. [_Exit FOOTMAN._] I cannot understand this. I do not learn whether their coming to this place be but the whim of a moment, or a plan for a longer stay: if the latter, farewell, solitude! farewell, study!--farewell!--Yes, I must make room for gaiety, and mere frivolity. Yet could I willingly submit to all; but, should the Countess give me new proofs of her attachment, perhaps of her respect, Oh! how will my conscience upbraid me! Or--I shudder at the thought! if this seat be visited by company, and chance should conduct hither any of my former acquaintance--Alas! alas! how wretched is the being who fears the sight of any one fellow-creature! But, oh! superior misery! to dread still more the presence of a former friend!--Who's there? _Enter PETER._ _Pet._ Nobody. It's only me. _Mrs. H._ So soon returned? _Pet._ Sharp lad, a'n't I? On the road I've had a bit of talk too, and-- _Mrs. H._ But you have observed my directions! _Pet._ Oh, yes, yes:--I told old Tobias as how he would never know as long as he lived that the money came from you. _Mrs. H._ You found him quite recovered, I hope? _Pet._ Ay, sure did I. He's coming out to-day for the first time. _Mrs. H._ I rejoice to hear it. _Pet._ He said that he was obliged to you for all; and before dinner would crawl up to thank you. _Mrs. H._ Good Peter, do me another service. _Pet._ Ay, a hundred, if you'll only let me have a good long stare at you. _Mrs. H._ With all my heart! Observe when old Tobias comes, and send him away. Tell him I am busy, or asleep, or unwell, or what you please. _Pet._ I will, I will. _Sol._ [_Without._] There, there, go to the post-office. _Mrs. H._ Oh! here comes Mr. Solomon. _Pet._ What! Father?--Ay, so there is. Father's a main clever man: he knows what's going on all over the world. _Mrs. H._ No wonder; for you know he receives as many letters as a prime minister and all his secretaries. _Enter SOLOMON._ _Sol._ Good morning, good morning to you, Mrs. Haller. It gives me infinite pleasure to see you look so charmingly well. You have had the goodness to send for your humble servant. Any news from the Great City? There are very weighty matters in agitation. I have my letters too. _Mrs. H._ [_Smiling._] I think, Mr. Solomon, you must correspond with the four quarters of the globe. _Sol._ Beg pardon, not with the whole world, Mrs. Haller: but [_Consequentially._] to be sure I have correspondents, on whom I can rely, in the chief cities of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. _Mrs. H._ And yet I have my doubts whether you know what is to happen this very day at this very place. _Sol._ At this very place! Nothing material. We meant to have sown a little barley to-day, but the ground is too dry; and the sheep-shearing is not to be till to-morrow.