ike demi-gods!"--oh, it's
glorious!--Ah, old Scratch, are you there?--Joy, joy! give me joy!--I've
done your business! the work's past!--the labour's o'er, my boy!--"think
of that, Master Brook--think of that!"

_Lady._ My lord, I am vilely treated.--I desire you'll insist on an
explanation.

_Flor._ He can't speak, madam.
[_All this time, my LORD is slowly walking away._

_Lady._ How! are you going to leave me, my lord?

_Vapid._ [_Taking out his Common-place Book._] 'Faith this musn't be
lost!--here's something worth observing. [_Exit LORD SCRATCH._

_Lady._ Oh, I shall burst with rage!--Mr Vapid, I desire you'll explain
how you came in that closet.--Why don't you answer me, sir?

_Vapid._ Your pardon, ma'am, I was taking a note of the affair--and yet
I'm afraid----

_Lady._ What are you afraid of, sir?

_Vapid._ That it has been dramatized before;--it is certainly not a new
case.

_Lady._ Insupportable!--But I take my leave of you all!--I abandon you
for ever!--I!--oh, I shall go wild! [_Exit in a rage._

_Flor._ Ay, ay, follow his lordship--virtue is ever sure to meet its
reward. Now, Mr Vapid, tell us how you came in that closet?

_Vapid._ 'Faith, I can't.--I believe the servant hurried me there on
your approach.

_Flor._ Then you didn't come to meet lady Waitfor't?

_Vapid._ Meet lady Waitfor't!--no, I came to read my epilogue to
Neville; and a wonderful production it is--"The tyrant totters, and the
senate nods." [_Walking about._

_Louisa._ To what a strange fatality of circumstances has her character
been exposed!--but vice often finds its punishment for a crime it never
committed, when it escapes for thousands it daily practises.

_Flor._ Well, Miss Courtney, I hope now your apprehensions are at an
end?

_Louisa._ Yes, sir, I shall remain for the short time necessary to
prepare for my journey, and beg I may detain you no longer. I'm afraid I
have already been a great intruder.

_Flor._ No, you have been the occasion of more happiness than ever I
experienced. But you won't leave Bath, till you've seen my brother?

_Louisa._ Oh, I have been cruelly deceived, Mr Floriville! I have
injured your brother so much, that, though I wish, I almost dread to see
him.

_Flor._ Then I'll go in search of him,--and if I don't reconcile
you----Come, Mr Vapid, will you walk?

_Vapid._ With all my heart.

_Flor.