. D._ What is it you mean?

_Mr. D._ Too well have I feared--too well have I guessed at such
things. Hence it is that Augusta looks always as if oppressed by
conscious guilt--hence her reserve towards me.--Has not this unhappy
guardianship given me uneasiness enough? Has not my life been
sufficiently embittered? Have I not sacrificed enough of my peace? must
I also sacrifice my only child?

_Mrs. D._ I do not see why.

_Mr. D._ No, no, you do not see--if you did, you would not stand there
so calmly.

_Mrs. D._ And why are you so terrified? That he is lively--sometimes
wild? He is young.

_Mr. D._ Lively? wild? young? No, no.--Immoral, dissolute,
hypocritical; that is the character of Lewis Brook.--And shall he the
husband of my Augusta? When I quit the world, shall I leave to him the
child of my heart? To him? Oh, you have brought me bad news!

_Mrs. D._ You see every thing in such gloomy colours! I agree he is
inconsiderate--_very_ inconsiderate; and certainly while he remains as
he is, I shall not think of marriage: but love will bring him back.

_Mr. D._ What can you hope from such levity?

_Mrs. D._ More than from the insensibility of his brother.

_Mr. D._ Do you speak of my good Philip thus? Oh, had you told me that
she loved _him_--whatever I could spare--my whole fortune--yes, she
should have had it all--Then we had been the happiest of parents.

_Mrs. D._ I see no happiness, in our daughter's being shut up with such
an eternal grumbler.

_Mr. D._ Oh! but his heart is noble!

_Mrs. D._ An inconsiderate mind is better than such sour virtue, if
indeed it deserves the name.

_Mr. D._ I own I am disappointed in both of them.

_Mrs. D._ I fear, my dear Drave, your mode of education has contributed
to make them hate each other.

_Mr. D._ Hate? Philip hate?--Never.----If Lewis does, I am sorry.

_Mrs. D._ He cannot love such sour behaviour--he does not hate--but he
is cold--they have not spoken to each other these three months.

_Mr. D._ We must put an end to this. They must see each other, come to
an explanation, and all will be well. Lewis esteems you--prevail on him
to meet his brother with kindness.

_Mrs. D._ Willingly.--And now concerning Augusta--what will you do?

_Mr. D._ [thoughtfully]. Now I see clearly--now I can account for many
strange things: it is too true--her passion is too deeply rooted to be
overcome. I will never force her inclination--but I must first be
certain that Lewis