University of Virginia Library

SCENE IX.

Blount, Bellair.
BELLAIR
(slapping him on the shoulder).
Blount, your news?

BLOUNT.
You! and here, sir! What means—

BELLAIR.
My impatience excuse.
You have seen her?

BLOUNT.
I have.

BELLAIR.
And have pleaded my cause;
And of course she consents, for she loves me? You pause.

BLOUNT.
Nay, alas! my dear friend—

BELLAIR.
Speak, and tell me my fate.

BLOUNT.
Quick and rash though your wooing be, it is too late;
She has promised her hand to another. Bear up!

BELLAIR.
There is many a slip 'twixt the lip and the cup.
Ah! my rival I'll fight. Say his name if you can.

BLOUNT.
Mr Jones. I am told he's a fine-looking man.

BELLAIR.
His address?

BLOUNT.
Wherefore ask? You kill her in this duel—
Slay the choice of her heart!

BELLAIR.
Of her heart; you are cruel.
But if so, why, heaven bless her!

BLOUNT.
My arm—come away!

BELLAIR.
No, my carriage waits yonder. I thank you. Good day.

(Exit.)
BLOUNT.
He is gone; I am safe— (shaking his left hand with his right)
wish you joy, my dear Jones!

(Exit.)
(Nithsdale, disguised in Lucy's dress and mantle, opens the window.)
NITHSDALE.
All is still. How to jump without breaking my bones?
(Trying to flatten his petticoats, and with one leg over the balcony.)
Curse these petticoats! Heaven, out of all my lost riches,
Why couldst thou not save me one thin pair of breeches!
Steps!

(Gets back—shuts the window.)
Re-enter Bellair.
But Blount may be wrong. From her own lips alone
Will I learn.
(Looking up at the window.)
I see some one; I'll venture this stone.

(Picks up, and throws, a pebble at the window.)
NITHSDALE
(opening the window).
Joy!—the signal!