[CLARA looks at him reproachfully, and walks aside with SIR FREDERICK.

But where is the new guitar you meant to buy, Miss Vesey-the one inlaid with tortoiseshell? It is near a year since you set your heart on it, and I don't see it yet!

SIR JOHN (taking him aside confidentially).

The guitar-oh, to tell you a secret-she applied the money I gave her for it to a case of charity several months ago the very day the will was read. I saw the letter lying on the table, with the money in it. Mind, not a word to her-she'd never forgive me!

EVELYN (taking out the letter).

This is not her hand!

SIR JOHN.

No! I observed at the time it was not her hand, but I got out from her that she did not wish the thing to be known, and had employed some one else to copy it. May I see the letter? Yes, I think this is the wording. But I did not mean to tell you what case of charity it was. I promised Georgy I would not. Still,

how did she know Mrs. Stanton's address ?-you never gave it to me!

Do

EVELYN.

I gave it to her, Sir John.

CLARA (at the distance).

Yes, I'll go to the opera, if Lady Franklin will. go, dear Lady Franklin !-on Saturday, then, Sir Frederick.

EVELYN.

Sir John, to a man like me, this simple act of unostentatious generosity is worth all the accomplishments in the world. A good heart-a tender disposition—a charity that shuns the day-a modesty that blushes at its own excellence-an impulse towards something more divine than Mammon ;-such are the true accomplishments which preserve beauty for ever young. Such I have Such I have sought in the partner I would take for life;-such I have found-alas! not where I had dreamed!-Miss Vesey, I will be honest-I say, then, frankly-(as CLARA approaches, raising his voice and looking fixedly at her)-I have loved another deeply - truly bitterly - vainly! I cannot offer to you, as I did to her, the fair first love of the human heart-rich with all its blossoms and its verdure. But if esteem-if gratitude-if an earnest resolve to conquer every recollection that would wander from your image; —if these can tempt you to accept my hand and

fortune, my life shall be a study to deserve your confi

dence.

[CLARA stands motionless, clasping her hands, and then slowly seats herself.

SIR JOHN.

The happiest day of my life!

[CLARA falls back in her chair.

EVELYN (darting forward). (Aside.)

She is pale; she faints! What have I done? Oh, heaven!-Clara!

CLARA (rising with a smile).

Be happy, my cousin-be happy! Yes, with my whole heart I say it-be happy, Alfred Evelyn!

END OF ACT II.

ACT III.

SCENE I.

The drawing-rooms in SIR JOHN VESEY's house.

SIR JOHN, GEORGINA.

SIR JOHN.

And he has not pressed you to fix the wedding-day?

GEORGINA.

No; and since he proposed he comes here so seldom, and seems so gloomy. Heigho! Poor Sir Frederick was twenty times more amusing.

SIR JOHN.

But Evelyn is fifty times as rich!

GEORGINA.

Sir Frederick dresses so well!

SIR JOHN.

You'll have magnificent diamonds! But a word with you: I saw you yesterday in the square with Sir Frederick; that must not happen again. When a young lady is engaged to one man, nothing is so indecorous as to flirt with another. It might endanger your marriage itself. Oh, it's highly indecorous!

GEORGINA.

Don't be afraid, papa-he takes up with Clara.

Who? Evelyn?

SIR JOHN.

GEORGINA.

Sir Frederick. Heigho!-I hate artful girls.

SIR JOHN.

The settlements will be splendid! if anything happens, nothing can be handsomer than your jointure.

GEORGINA.

My own kind papa, you always put things so pleasantly. But do you not fear lest he discover that Clara wrote the letter?

SIR JOHN.

No; and I shall get Clara out of the house. But there is something else that makes me very uneasy. You know that no sooner did Evelyn come into possession of his fortune than he launched out in the style of a prince. His house in London is a palace, and he has bought a great estate in the country. Look how he lives!-Balls-banquets-fine arts-fiddlers-charities-and the devil to pay !

GEORGINA.

But if he can afford it

SIR JOHN.

Oh! as long as he stopped there I had no apprehension; but since he proposed for you he is more

F