ΤΟ THE AUTHOR OF "ION," WHOSE GENIUS AND EXAMPLE HAVE ALIKE CONTRIBUTED TOWARDS THE REGENERATION OF THE NATIONAL DRAMA, THIS PLAY IS INSCRIBED. DRAMATIS PERSONE. BEAUSEANT (a rich gentleman of Lyons, in love Pauline). LANDLORD OF THE GOLDEN LION CLAUDE MELNOTTE FIRST OFFICER MR. MEADOWS. MR. BARTLey. MR. STRICKLAND. MR. YARNOLD. MR. DIDDEar. MR. MACREADY. THE LADY OF LYONS, OR LOVE AND PRIDE. ACT I SCENE I. A room in the house of M. Deschappelles, at Lyons. Pauline reclining on a sofa; Marian, her Maid, fanning her. Flowers and notes on a table beside the sofa. Madame Deschappelles seated. The Gardens are seen from the open window. MADAME DESCHAP. Marian, put that rose a little more to the left. (Marian alters the position of a rose in Pauline's hair.) Ah, so! that improves the air, the tournure, the quite my style! a sensation! You are certainly very handsome, child! I don't wonder that you make such Old, young, rich, and poor, do homage to the Beauty of Lyons! — Ah, we live again in our children, — especially when they have our eyes and complexion! No, child! if I praise you, it is only to inspire you with a proper ambition. You are born to make a great Beauty is valuable or worthless according as you invest the property to the best advantage. go and order the carriage! PAULINE. [Exit Marian. Who can it be that sends me, every day, these beautiful Let him enter. Pauline, this is another offer! - I know it is! Your father should engage an additional clerk to keep the account-book of your conquests. (Enter Beauseant.) BEAUSEANT. Ah, ladies, how fortunate I am to find you at home! (aside) How lovely she looks! It is a great sacrifice I make in marrying into a family in trade! they will be eternally grateful! (aloud) Madame, you will permit me a word with your charming daughter. (Approaches Pau line, who rises disdainfully) Mademoiselle, I have ventured to wait upon you, in a hope that you must long since have divined. Last night, when you outshone all the beauty of Lyons, you completed your conquest over me! You know that my fortune is not exceeded by any estate in the Province, you know that, but for the Revolution, which has defrauded me of my titles, I should be noble. May I, then, trust that you will not reject my alliance? I offer you my hand and heart. PAULINE (aside). He has the air of a man who confers a favour! — (aloud) Sir, you are very `condescending - I thank you humbly; but, being duly sensible of my own demerits, you must allow me to decline the honour you propose. suffer me to appeal to you. I am a suitor for your daugh |