_Mrs. Sagely._ Indeed, Miss Alton, (since you are resolved to continue that name) you may bless yourself for finding me out in this wilderness.--Wilderness! this town is ten times more dangerous to youth and innocence: every man you meet is a wolf.
_Miss Alton._ Dear madam, I see you dwell upon my indiscretion in flying to London; but remember the safeguard I expected to find here. How cruel was the disappointment! how dangerous have been the consequences! I thought the chance happy that threw a retired lodging in my way: I was upon my guard against the other s.e.x, but for my own to be treacherous to an unfortunate--could I expect it?
_Mrs. Sagely._ Suspect every body, if you would be safe--but most of all suspect yourself. Ah, my pretty truant--the heart, that is so violent in its aversions, is in sad danger of being the same in its affections, depend upon it.
_Miss Alton._ Let them spring from a just esteem, and you will absolve me: my aversion was to the character of the wretch I was threatened with--can you reprove me?
_Mrs. Sagely._ And tell me truly now; do you feel the same detestation for this worse character you have made acquaintance with? This rake--this abominable Heartly?----Ah, child, your look is suspicious.
_Miss Alton._ Madam, I have not a thought, that I will not sincerely lay open to you. Mr. Heartly is made to please, and to be avoided; I resent his attempts, and desire never to see him more--his discovery of me here; his letters, his offers have greatly alarmed me. I conjure you lose not an hour in placing me under the sort of protection I solicited.
_Mrs. Sagely._ If you are resolved, I believe I can serve you. Miss Alscrip, the great heiress, (you may have heard of the name in your family) has been inquiring among decayed gentry for a companion. She is too fine a lady to bear to be alone, and perhaps does not look to a husband"s company as a certain dependence. Your musical talents will be a great recommendation--She is already apprized, and a line from me will introduce you.
_Miss Alton._ I will avail myself of your kindness immediately.
_Prompt._ [_Without._] I tell you I have business with Mrs. Sagely--I must come in.
_Mrs. Sagely._ As I live here is an impudent fellow forcing himself into the pa.s.sage!
_Miss Alton._ Oh Heaven! if Mr. Heartly should be behind!
_Mrs. Sagely._ Get into the back parlour; be he who he will, I"ll warrant I protect you.
[_Exit MISS ALTON._
_Enter PROMPT._ [_Looking about._]
_Mrs. Sagely._ Who are you, sir? What are you looking for?
_Prompt._ Madam, I was looking----I was looking--for you.
_Mrs. Sagely._ Well, sir, and what do you want.
_Prompt._ [_Still prying about._] Madam, I want----I want--I want--
_Mrs. Sagely._ To rob the house, perhaps.
_Prompt._ Just the contrary, Madam--to see that all is safe within it.--You have a treasure in your possession that I would not have lost for the world--A young lady.
_Mrs. Sagely._ Indeed!--begone about your business, friend--there are no young ladies to be spoke with here.
_Prompt._ Lord, madam, I don"t desire to speak with her--My attentions go to ladies of the elder sort--I come to make proposals to you alone.
_Mrs. Sagely._ You make proposals to me? Did you know my late husband, sir?
_Prompt._ Husband! My good Mrs. Sagely--be at ease--I have no more views upon you, that way, than upon my grandmother--My proposals are of a quite different nature.
_Mrs. Sagely._ Of a different nature? Why you audacious varlet! Here, call a constable--
_Prompt._ Dear madam, how you continue to misunderstand me--I have a respect for you, that will set at nought all the personal temptations about you, depend upon it, powerful as they are--And as for the young lady, my purpose is only that you shall guard her safe.--I would offer you a pretty snug house in a pleasant quarter of the town, where you two would be much more commodiously lodged--the furniture new, and in the prettiest taste--A neat little sideboard of plate--a black boy, with a turban to wait upon you--
_Mrs. Sagely._ And for what purpose am I to be bribed? I am above it, sirrah. I have but a pittance, "tis true, and heavy outgoings--My husband"s decayed bookkeeper to maintain, and poor old Smiler, that so many years together drew our whole family in a chaise--Heavy charges--but by cutting off my luxuries, and stopping up a few windows, I can jog on, and scorn to be beholden to you, or him that sent you.
[_PROMPT tries at the Door, and peeps through the Key-hole._] What would the impertinent fellow be at now? Keep the door bolted, and don"t stand in sight.
_Prompt._ [_Aside._] Oh! oh!--She is here I find, and that"s enough.----My good Mrs. Sagely--your humble servant--I would fain be better acquainted with you--in a modest way--but must wait, I see, a more happy hour. [_Aside, going out._] When honesty and poverty do happen to meet, they grow so fond of each other"s company, it is labour lost to try to separate them.
[_Exit._
_Mrs. Sagely._ Shut the street door after him, and never let him in again.
_Enter MISS ALTON, from the inner Room._
_Miss Alton._ For mercy, madam, let me begone immediately. I am very uneasy--I am certain Mr. Heartly is at the bottom of this.
_Mrs. Sagely._ I believe it, my dear, and now see the necessity of your removal. I"ll write your letter--and Heaven protect you. Remember my warning, suspect yourself.
[_Exit._
_Miss Alton._ In truth I will. I"ll forget the forbearance of this profligate, and remember only his intentions. And is grat.i.tude then suspicious? Painful lesson! A woman must not think herself secure because she has no bad impulse to fear: she must be upon her guard, lest her very best should betray her.
ACT THE SECOND.
SCENE I.
_An Apartment in SIR CLEMENT FLINT"s House._
_LADY EMILY GAYVILLE and CLIFFORD at Chess._
_SIR CLEMENT sitting at a Distance, pretending to read a Parchment, but slily observing them._
_Lady E._ Check--If you do not take care, you are gone the next move.
_Cliff._ I confess, Lady Emily, you are on the point of complete victory.
_Lady E._ Pooh, I would not give a farthing for victory without a more spirited defence.
_Cliff._ Then you must engage with those (if those there are) that do not find you irresistible.
_Lady E._ I could find a thousand such; but I"ll engage with none whose triumph I could not submit to with pleasure.
_Sir C._ [_Apart._] Pretty significant on both sides. I wonder how much farther it will go.
_Lady E._ Uncle, did you speak?