I believe, I am but loved again, I will-will-what?-turn opium-eater, and dream of the Eden I may never enter!

LADY FRANKLIN (to CLARA).

[Exit.

Yes, I will get my maid to copy and direct this-she writes well, and her hand will never be discovered. I will have it done and sent instantly.

[CLARA 'advances to the front of the stage, and seats herself EVELYN reading-Enter SIR FREDERICK BLOUNT.

SCENE III.

CLARA, EVELYN, SIR FREDERICK BLOUNT.

BLOUNT.

No one in the woom!-Oh, Miss Douglas!-Pway don't let me disturb you. Where is Miss Vesey-Georgina? [Taking CLARA's chair as she rises. EVELYN (looking up, gives CLARA a chair and re-seats himself).

(Aside) Insolent puppy!

CLARA.

Shall I tell her you are here, Sir Frederick?

BLOUNT.

Not for the world. Vewy pwetty girl this companion !

ᏟᏞᎪᎡᎪ.

What did you think of the Panorama the other day, cousin Evelyn?

EVELYN (reading).

"I cannot talk with Civet in the room,
A fine-puss gentleman that's all perfume!

Rather good lines these.

Cowper.

EVELYN.

BLOUNT (shrugging his shoulders to CLARA). Stwange person, Mr. Evelyn!-quite a chawacter!Indeed the Panowama gives you no idea of Naples-a de

lightful place. I make it a wule to go there evewy second year I am vewy fond of twavelling. You'd like Wome [Rome]-bad inns, but vewy fine wuins; gives you quite a taste for that sort of thing!

EVELYN (reading).

"How much a dunce that has been sent to roam

Excels a dunce that has been kept at home!"
BLOUNT (aside).

That fellow Cowper says vewy odd things!-Humph!-it is beneath me to quawwell.-(Aloud) It will not take long to wead the will, I suppose. Poor old Mordaunt !-I am his neawest male welation. He was vewy eccentwic. By the way, Miss Douglas, did you wemark my cuwicle?It is bwinging cuwicles into fashion. I should be most happy if you will allow me to dwive you out. Nay-nayI should, upon my word. [Trying to take her hand.

EVELYN (starting up).
A wasp!-a wasp!-just going to settle.

the wasp, Miss Douglas.

BLOUNT.

Take care of

A wasp!-where?-don't bwing it this way.-Some people don't mind them! I've a particular dislike to wasps; they sting damnably!

Sir John will be happy to see you in his study, Sir Frederick.

BLOUNT.

[Exit Servant.

Vewy well. Upon my word, there is something vewy nice about this girl. To be sure, I love Georgina—but if this one would take a fancy to me-(thoughtfully) Well, I don't see what harm it could do me !—Au plaisir !

[Exit.

G