very true! but lord, lord,
lord! it is really mighty difficult to forget one's own dear self.
Heaven knows, poor sinner that I am, a few twinges of the gout are
always enough to make me as hard-hearted as a rock of adamant; and even
when dear lady Josepha died, I'm almost afraid I should have felt very
little for any body but myself, if just at that time I had happened to
have a touch of the toothach! ah! we are all poor weak creatures! poor
weak creatures! poor weak creatures! (_going_)

Father _Michael_ enters hastily.

_Michael._ Friend! hist! friend!

_Ben._ (_returning_) Well, friend! hey a monk? I beg your pardon then;
well, father!

_Mich._ The viceroy is at length arrived?

_Ben._ He is.

_Mich._ Conduct me to him: I must speak with him instantly.

_Ben._ Stop, stop! no hurry-- the viceroy is already gone out.

_Mich._ Unfortunate! my business is of such importance----

_Ben._ Well, well! I dare say, some few hours hence----

_Mich._ My superior knows not that I am absent; I have ventured here
without permission, I dare not stay, and perhaps my return may be
impossible!

_Ben._ Indeed! that's a pity! and is your superior then so rigid, that
he would'nt excuse-- (_looking at his habit_) ha, ha! I see now how it
is. Is not your superior the prior Coelestino?

_Mich._ The same! and-- (_looking round anxiously, and lowering his
voice_) and I am no favourite with him.

_Ben._ No? that's very much to your credit.

_Mich._ (_acquiring confidence_) Nor am I partial to him.

_Ben._ Nor I neither, heaven knows! there's my hand upon it. Father,
you're a very sensible honest man.

_Mich._ You appear to be well acquainted with the prior's character: but
for heaven's sake do not betray me!

_Ben._ I betray you? to be sure one ought not to wish one's neighbour
ill. But if the fire, which lately consumed a wing of your convent, had
consumed in it-- you understand me, I wont say no more: but if a certain
event had taken place, I dont believe I should have broken my heart for
grief, father.

_Mich._ The prior was absent at the time of the conflagration; he ran no
danger; but that accident may be the source of other dangers to him, of
which at present he little dreams.

_Ben._ Indeed! as how, pray, as how? as how? dear, I shall be mighty
glad to hear how.

_Mich._ I dare not explain myself except to your lord. But tell me, good
old man, is not the viceroy greatly interested in the fate of young
Venon