MRS. F. And so, sir, you hope to atone for your conduct by a paltry present. (_runs to window and opens it._) Thus you atone, and thus I treat the atonement. (_throws case out of window._) FANNY. (_aside._) Lauk-a-dasy me; how fine that was. I wish my sweetheart would quarrel with me, and send me something--would not I shy it out of window! MRS. F. There, sir, you see what I have done. EUCLID. Yes, love, you threw the case out of the window. MRS. F. And does it make no impression? EUCLID. Why, it was your own; you had a right to do with it as you liked; it was nothing to me, you know. MRS. F. Oh! obduracy, in the disguise of good nature. FANNY. Please ma'am-- MRS. F. What, Fanny, you here! (_aside to JULIA._) There, as I told you, her hair dressed the same--the ribbons in the cap too. Well, Fanny. FANNY. Please, ma'am, Miss Weakley has sent to know if you are going to call there this afternoon? MRS. F. Oh, yes, certainly--poor Miss Weakley. Yes, I shall call. FANNY. (_whispers to EUCLID._) I have something to shew you, sir, when your good lady goes out. MRS. F. I shall call--what's the girl waiting for? do you think I can't _call?_ FANNY. Yes, you can, ma'am, pretty loud, too. [_Exit, L. H._ MRS. F. And now, Mr. Facile, you ought to be ashamed to stand before me thus. EUCLID. Ought I? Well, then, I'll take myself down stairs. (_reads._) "On gravity--descending bodies." [_Exit, L. H._ JULIA. How can you be so cross? MRS. F. Discipline, I tell you. But reach me the decanter of wine from the shelf, that's a dear. (_pours contents of mortar into decanter._) There--there's the sleeping draught for Miss Weakley; I made it from a receipt book belonging to my grandmama. Such a draught! it will make her sleep like Juliet's drug, worthy of the book from which it was extracted. _Enter TWO MEN with basket, L._ Well, my good people. 1st. MAN. We have brought this hamper for Miss Fanny Pepper, and the footman told us to bring it up stairs. MRS. F. Miss, indeed! Yes, it's right _Miss_ Fanny Pepper is Mr. Holdfast's housemaid--you may leave the basket. [_MEN do so and exeunt, L. H._ JULIA. Well, while your are finishing your draughts, and the like, I will go and put on my bonnet to accompany you. With very different feelings from the time when I used to put it on to meet De Mowbray at the garden gate. [_Exit R. H., with the bottle._ MRS. F. What's that? Oh! goodness, the basket moves--a man! RECKLESS. (_jumps out._) Madam, madam! do not cry out, I entreat you! I am a stranger, yet rely on your generosity. MRS. F. But this strange intrusion? RECK. It is useless to conceal anything. You have doubtless heard of De Mowbray--I am he. MRS. F. The clandestine lover of Miss Julia, a person about whom no one knows anything. But as you have relied on my mercy, I will not betray you--I will assist you. RECK. Dear, kind madam!