termined to put into
execution a scheme I have long thought of.

_Mari._ What is it? something pleasant I hope.

_Lady._ No, you shall retire to a convent, till you take possession of
your fortune.

_Mari._ A convent! Oh lord! I can't make up my mind to it, now don't,
pray don't think of it--I declare it's quite shocking.

_Lady._ It is a far better place than you deserve; my resolution is
fixed, and we shall see whether a life of solitude and austerity will
not awaken some sense of shame in you.

_Mari._ Indeed, I can't bear the thoughts of it.--Oh do speak to her, Mr
Vapid--tell her about the nasty monks, now do,--a convent! mercy! what a
check to the passions! Oh! I can't bear it. [_Weeping._

_Vapid._ Gad, here's a sudden touch of tragedy--pray, Lady Waitfor't,
reflect--you can't send a lady to a convent when the theatres are open.

_Mari._ It will be the death of me! pray, my dear aunt----

_Lady._ Not a word--I am determined--to-morrow you shall leave this
country, and then I have done with you for ever.

_Mari._ Oh! my poor heart! Oh, oh!

_Vapid._ See! she'll faint!

_Mari._ Oh! oh! oh! [_MARIANNE faints in LADY WAITFOR'T'S Arms._

_Lady._ Oh! I have gone too far, Mr Vapid!

_Vapid._ I fly, I'll call the servants. Have you got any drops?

_Lady._ I have some drops in this closet may recover her--hold her a
moment, and for heaven's sake take care of her. [_Exit._

[_MARIANNE lays in VAPID'S Arms._

_Vapid._ Here's a situation!--Poor girl!--how I pity her! I really loved
her.

_Mari._ Did you really love me, Mr Vapid?

_Vapid._ Hey-day! recovered!--here's incident!

_Mari._ But did you really love me, Mr Vapid?

_Vapid._ Yes I did,--here's stage effect!

_Mari._ And would you have really run away with me, Mr Vapid?

_Vapid._ Yes, I really would.

_Mari._ Then come along this moment.

_Vapid._ Hush!--here's the old lady! keep dying, as before, and we'll
effect the business--more equivoque!

_Enter LADY WAITFOR'T._

_Lady._ Well, Mr Vapid, how does she do? lord! she's in strong
convulsions.

_Vapid._ Yes, ma'am, she's dying; where are the drops?

_Lady._ Here, sir.

_Vapid._ There are very few--are there any more of the same kind?

_Lady._ Yes, plenty.

_Vapid._ Fetch them,--'tis the only hope--if you have any hartshorn too,
bring a little of that.

_Lady._ I'm quite shocked! [_Exit._

_Ma