been
entirely mistaken, and you will be perfectly happy with my brother.

_Eleon._ I!--Do you think so?

_Dor._ No doubt; it cannot be otherwise. I have questioned you with the
best intentions, and you have answered--sincerely, as I must believe.

_Eleon._ Oh, certainly.

_Dor._ Then be at peace; your heart tells me you will be happy.

_Eleon._ [_Affected._] My heart, Madame!

_Dor._ Your heart.

_Eleon._ Ah! I do not understand my own heart.

_Dor._ Why are you so much moved?

_Eleon._ [_Looking off the stage._] Did not some one call me?

_Dor._ Called? Where? By whom?

_Eleon._ [_Going._] Perhaps my mother--perhaps somebody--

_Dor._ No, no; pray stay. Your mother knows you are with me, and
therefore cannot be in fear. I have something more to say to you.

_Eleon._ [_Aside._] How difficult to disguise my feelings!

_Dor._ Remember, your heart has told me--

_Eleon._ [_Timorously._] What, Madame?

_Dor._ You are in love with another.

_Eleon._ [_Confused._] I, Madame!

_Dor._ You; your blushes confirm it.

_Eleon._ [_Aside._] Heavens! have I betrayed myself?--[_Aloud._] You
will not tell this to my mother? I shall be lost!

_Dor._ No, no; fear nothing. Though you have discovered that you cannot
confide in me, I love you tenderly, and am incapable of giving you
needless pain. Here your mother comes; let us consider between
ourselves.

_Eleon._ Ah, Madame! [_Embracing._]

SCENE II.--_Enter_ Araminta.

_Aram._ Well, child; I fear you are troublesome.

_Eleon._ Pardon me, but--

_Dor._ We are friends, and I entreated her to keep me company.

_Aram._ You are kinder to her than she deserves. I cannot understand
her; she is become so melancholy and dull.

_Dor._ The air of Paris may not agree with her.

_Aram._ Do you think so? Since she left the place of her education, she
is no longer the same. Nothing pleases, nothing diverts her. Music,
reading, and drawing are all forsaken. I have spared no expense, and
have taken no little delight in perceiving her progress; while, at
present, I am equally surprised to see her thus negligent. I willingly
incur expense for any good purpose; but no one can be more angry than I
am at squandering money.

_Eleon._ [_Aside._] It is very true. I no longer know myself.

_Dor._ Nay, Madame.

_Aram._ If she wishes to return to her retirement, why not say so?

_Dor._ Oh, no, Madame; she has no such wish.

_Aram._ But why, then, child, are you so gloomy,