_ [_Taking him by the hand._] By Heaven, you are an honest fellow.

_Vapid._ Madam, good night!--if I can be of any service to you in the
dramatic, or any other way, you may command me.

_Flor._ Ay, I'll answer for him,--he would die to serve you.

_Vapid._ Die to serve her! ay, "Die all!--die nobly!--die like
demi-gods!" [_Exeunt._

ACT THE FIFTH.

SCENE I.

_LADY WAITFOR'T'S Apartment._

_LADY WAITFOR'T discovered at her Toilette. LETTY
waiting._

_Lady._ Mr Vapid not come yet, Letty?

_Letty._ No, ma'am,--but the servant, who found him at the tavern, said
he would be here immediately.

_Lady._ I protest, I am almost weary of them all.--[_Noise without._]
See who's there. [_LETTY listens, and returns._

_Letty._ Mr Vapid at last:--now, pray your ladyship, insist on his
explaining every thing to my lord.

_Lady._ Yes; but vilely as he has treated me, I must still be calm.

_VAPID, putting his head in._

Walk in, sir, walk in.

_Vapid._ No, ma'am, I'd rather stay here.

_Lady._ I beg you'll be seated, Mr Vapid--I have something of
consequence to impart to you.

_Enter VAPID, gently._

_Vapid._ I'd never have ventured but in hopes of seeing my dear
Marianne.

_Lady._ Indeed I will not detain you a moment.

_Vapid._ Very well, ma'am, if that's the case----[_Slowly seating
himself._] It's very alarming. [_Aside._

_Lady._ Letty, leave the room, and fasten the door. [_Exit LETTY._

_Vapid._ No, no!--don't do that, I beseech you!

_Lady._ You're very much frightened, Mr Vapid;--I hope you don't suppose
I have any design against you?

_Vapid._ I don't know, really, ma'am--such things are perfectly
dramatic.

_Lady._ Well, but, to release you from your fears, I'll tell you why I
have given you this trouble--My business, Mr Vapid, was to converse with
you on the farcical affair that happened at Neville's.

_Vapid._ Farcical!

_Lady._ Yes, sir, the farcical affair that happened at Mr Neville's.

_Vapid._ Farcical?--what, my epilogue, ma'am?--I hope you don't mean to
reflect on that?

_Lady._ No, sir, far from it--I have no doubt but it is a very elegant
composition.

_Vapid._ Doubt!--here it is, read it!--the very first production of the
age! A regular climax of poetic beauty!--the last line the _ne plus
ultra_ of genius.

_Lady._ But, to be serio