ms._ Yes, sir.

_Frank._ And, she read it----and----did you say, she--she was very
much affected, when she read it?

_Williams._ I told you last night, sir;--she look'd quite death
struck, as I may say.

_Frank._ [_Much affected._] Did----did she weep, Williams?

_Williams._ No, sir; but I did afterwards--I don't know what ail'd
me; but, when I got out of the house, into the street, I'll be
hang'd if I did'nt cry like a child.

_Frank._ You are an honest fellow, Williams. [_A Knock at the Door
of the Room._] See who is at the door. [_WILLIAMS opens the Door._

_Enter JOHN._

_Williams._ Well, what's the matter?

_John._ There's a man in the porter's lodge, says he won't go away
without speaking to Mr. Francis.

_Frank._ See who it is, Williams. Send him to me, if necessary; but
don't let me be teased, without occasion.

_Williams._ I'll take care, sir. [_Exeunt WILLIAMS and JOHN._

_Frank._ Must I marry this woman, whom my father has chosen for me;
whom I expect here to-morrow? And must I, then, be told 'tis
criminal to love my poor, deserted Mary, because our hearts are
illicitly attach'd? Illicit for the heart? fine phraseology! Nature
disowns the restriction; I cannot smother her dictates with the
polity of governments, and fall in, or out of love, as the law
directs.

_Enter DENNIS BRULGRUDDERY._

Well, friend, who do you come from?

_Dennis._ I come from the Red Cow, sir.

_Frank._ The Red Cow?

_Dennis._ Yes, sir!--upon Muckslush Heath--hard by your honour's
father's house, here. I'd be proud of your custom, sir, and all the
good looking family's.

_Frank._ [_Impatiently._] Well, well, your business?

_Dennis._ That's what the porter ax'd me, "Tell me your business,
honest man," says he--"I'll see you damn'd first, sir," says
I:--"I'll tell it your betters;--and that's Mr. Francis Rochdale,
Esquire."

_Frank._ Zounds! then, why don't you tell it? I am Mr. Francis
Rochdale.--Who the devil sent you here?

_Dennis._ Troth, sir, it was good nature whisper'd me to come to
your honour: but I believe I've disremembered her directions, for
damn the bit do you seem acquainted with her.

_Frank._ Well, my good friend, I don't mean to be violent; only be
so good as to explain your business.

_Dennis._ Oh, with all the pleasure in life.--Give me good words,
and I'm as aisy as an ould glove: but bite my nose off with mustard,
and have at you with pepper,--that's my way.--There'