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for an opportunity of upbraiding him, or in the vain hope, perhaps, of moving his pity.

Walt. She has moved thy pity at least; what has all this to do with our plot?

Dart. A great deal: I am telling you before hand what we shall have to work upon: a plot cannot, any more than a coat, be made without materials.

Walt. Well, but shew me thy pattern first, and talk of the buttons and buckram afterwards.

Dart. Be it so then, since you are so impatient. There is a friend of mine stationed about a league hence with his regiment; where he is to wait till he is joined by another detachment of the army, as the enemy, it is feared, may penetrate to these parts, and overrun the country. I mean to go to him immediately; make him privy to our design, and engage him to send a party of his soldiers to make a sham attack upon the castle at midnight, when we shall all be assembled at this fanciful banquet in the grotto.

Walt. (nodding his head.) Good.

Dart. Valdemere then, as the gallant soldier he affects to be, and the favoured admirer too of the lady, must of course take upon himself the defence of her castle.

Walt. (nodding again.) Very good.

Dart. This will quell his presumption, I trust; and expose him to Livia for the very paltry being that he is.