how far I am authorized.
[_Gives her a Letter._

_Mary._ 'Tis his hand. [_Kissing the Superscription._

_Shuff._ [_As she is opening the Letter._] Fine blue eyes, faith,
and very like my Fanny's. Yes, I see how it will end;--she'll be the
fifteenth Mrs. Shuffleton.

_Mary._ [Reading.] _When the conflicts of my mind have subsided, and
opportunity will permit, I will write to you fully. My friend is
instructed from me to make every arrangement for your welfare. With
heartfelt grief I add, family circumstances have torn me from you
for ever!----_
[_Drops the Letter, and is falling, SHUFFLETON
supports her._

_Shuff._ Ha! damn it, this looks like earnest! They do it very
differently in London.

_Mary._ [_Recovering._] I beg pardon, sir--I expected this; but
I----I---- [_Bursts into Tears._

_Shuff._ [_Aside._] O, come, we are getting into the old train;
after the shower, it will clear.--My dear girl, don't flurry
yourself;--these are things of course, you know. To be sure, you
must feel a little resentment at first, but----

_Mary._ Resentment! When I am never, never to see him again!
Morning and night, my voice will be raised to Heaven, in anguish,
for his prosperity!--And tell him,--pray, sir, tell him, I think the
many, many bitter tears I shall shed, will atone for my faults; then
you know, as it isn't himself, but his station, that sunders us, if
news should reach him that I have died, it can't bring any trouble
to his conscience.

_Shuff._ Mr. Rochdale, my love, you'll find will be very handsome.

_Mary._ I always found him so, sir.

_Shuff._ He has sent you a hundred pound bank note [_Giving it to
her._] till matters can be arranged, just to set you a-going.

_Mary._ I was going, sir, out of this country, for ever. Sure he
couldn't think it necessary to send me this, for fear I should
trouble him!

_Shuff._ Pshaw! my love, you mistake: the intention is to give you a
settlement.

_Mary._ I intended to get one for myself, sir.

_Shuff._ Did you?

_Mary._ Yes, sir, in London. I shall take a place in the coach
to-morrow morning; and I hope the people of the inn where it puts
up, at the end of the journey, will have the charity to recommend me
to an honest service.

_Shuff._ Service? Nonsense! You----you must think differently. I'll
put you into a situatio