Page:The Clandestine Marriage (1766).djvu/79

Rh particularly diſagreeable to me at this time, as—as—

[heſitating.

L. Ogle. As what, Madam?

Fanny. As—pardon my confuſion—I am intirely devoted to another.

L. Ogle. If this is not plain, the devil's in it—[aſide.] But tell me, my dear Miſs Fanny, for I muſt know, tell me the how, the when, and the where—Tell me—

Cant. My Lor, my Lor, my Lor!—

L. Ogle. Damn your Swiſs impertinence! how durſt you interrupt me in the moſt critical melting moment that ever love and beauty honoured me with?

Cant. I demande pardonne, my Lor! Sir John Melvil, my Lor, ſent me to beg you to do him the honour to ſpeak a little to your Lorſhip.

L. Ogle. I'm not at leiſure—I'm buſy—Get away, you ſtupid old dog, you Swiſs raſcal, or I'll

Cant. Fort bien, my Lor.—

L. Ogle. By the laws of gallantry, Madam, this interruption ſhould be death; but as no puniſhment ought to diſturb the triumph of the ſofter paſſions, the criminal is pardoned and diſmiſſed—Let us return, Madam, to the higheſt luxury of exalted minds—a declaration of love from the lips of beauty.

Fanny. The entrance of a third perſon has a little relieved me, but I cannot go thro' with it—and yet I muſt open my heart with a diſcovery, or it will break with its burthen.

L. Ogle. What paſſion in her eyes! I am alarmed to agitation. [aſide.]—I preſume, Madam, (and as you have flattered me, by making me a party concerned, I hope you'll excuſe the preſumption) that

Fanny. Do you excuſe my making you a party concerned, my Lord, and let me intereſt your heart in my behalf, as my future happineſs or miſery in a great meaſure depend L. Ogle.