in.

_Nev._ 'Tis true, madam, and I meant to obey your commands, hard as they
were, implicitly obey them--but I came hither to welcome my brother, and
not to intrude on the happiness of her I am doomed to avoid.

_Louisa._ If I remember, sir, truth was ever among the foremost of your
virtues?

_Nev._ Yes--and I am confident you have no reason to doubt it--though
you have cause to censure my presumption, you have none to suspect my
fidelity.

_Louisa._ Oh no!--I don't suspect your fidelity in the least, but when
people are faithful to more than one, you know, Mr Neville----

_Nev._ I don't understand you, ma'am.

_Louisa._ It is no matter, Mr Neville--you may spare yourself any
trouble in attempting to justify your conduct--I am perfectly satisfied,
sir, I'll assure you. [_Going._

_Nev._ Oh, do not leave me in this anxious state!--perhaps this is the
last time we shall ever meet, and to part thus, would embitter every
future moment of my life. Indeed, I have no hopes that concern not your
happiness--no wishes that relate not to your esteem.

_Louisa._ Sir,--I will freely confess to you, had you shown the least
perseverance in your affection or sincerity in your behaviour, I could
have heard your addresses with pleasure--but to listen to them now, Mr
Neville, would be to approve a conduct, my honour prompts me to resent,
and my pride to despise.

_Nev._ Then I am lost indeed!--'Tis to the perfidious Lady Waitfor't I
owe all this--my present

_Enter LADY WAITFOR'T, behind._

misery--my future pain--are all the product of her jealous rage!--She is
so vile a hypocrite, that--

_Lady._ [_Coming forward._] Who is a hypocrite, sir?

_Nev._ Madam!

_Lady._ Who is a hypocrite, sir? answer me.

_Nev._ Ask your own heart, that can best inform you.

_Lady._ Tell me, Mr Neville, what have I done, that you dare insult me
thus?

_Nev._ What have you done! look on that lady, madam;--there all my hopes
and wishes were combined!--There was the very summit of my bliss!--I
thought I had attained it; but in the moment of my happiness, you came,
crushed every hope, and baffled all my joys.

_Lady._ Upon my word, sir, very romantic,--but I thank Heaven, I look
for approbation in a better opinion than that of Mr Neville's.

_Nev._ 'Tis well you do, madam; for were I your judge, your punishment
should be exemplary.--But I'll waste words no more--I only hope [_To
LOUISA._] you