Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 3.pdf/263

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Dart. By my fay, sage, I cannot suppress it.

Bar. Then let your friend go. He is wise enough not to wish to know his future fate, and I have already said you are in this twin-brothers.

Dart. Retire then, Valdemere.

Vald. (agitated and irresolute.) I had better, perhaps.—Yet there is within me a strange and perverse craving—I will retire (going to the door, and stopping short.)—Live in fearful ignorance, fancying evils that may never be! 'twere better to know all at once. (Returning.) Is it our general fortunes only, or is there some particular circumstance of our fate, now present to your mind, of which you advise us to be ignorant?

Bar. There is—

Vald. (pulling Dart, by the arm.) Come away, come away; don't hear it.

Dart. I am bound by some spell; I must stay to hear it.

Vald. I am certainly bound also; I know not how it is; I must hear it too.

Bar. Be it as you will, (After writing characters on a table, with other mummeries.) Propose your questions.

Dart. The name, age, and quality of her who is my love! (Bar. writes again.) The initials of her name, I protest; and her age to a day, nineteen years and a half! And her quality, good Father?

Bar. Only daughter and heiress of an eminent Dutch butter-dealer.