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Dart. (aside.) This will do; it is working with him. (Aloud, advancing.) My dear Count—but don't start, I bring no bad tidings; I come to beg a favour of you.

Vald. (recovering himself.) Say you are come to oblige me.

Dart. I thank you, Valdemere; but faith I'm ashamed to mention it; you will laugh at me for being so superstitious.

Vald. Ha! somebody has been dreaming about you too.

Dart. Should you deem me very credulous if a thing of this nature had power to disturb me?

Vald. 'Tis even so; they have been dreaming all over the house. Ha, ha, ha! And thou art really uneasy about.such flummery as this: ha, ha, ha! ha, ha, ha! this is admirable! delightful!—ha, ha, ha, ha!

Dart. Be more moderate with your merriment: your tears and your laughter come so strangely together, one would take you for an hysterical girl.

Vald. I can't, chuse but laugh at your dreamers; ha, ha, ha!

Dart. Don't laugh at me then; for I am neither a dreamer, nor believer in dreams.

Vald. (becoming serious at once.) No! what is it then?

Dart. I'm almost ashamed to tell you, yet I'll throw myself on your mercy and do it. I am