rely repented, yet what cares an unfeeling
world for this? The world! he has quitted it. 'Tis evident he loves her
still; and upon this assurance builds my sanguine heart the hope of a
happy termination to an honest enterprise.

_Enter FRANCIS with two Children, WILLIAM and AMELIA._

_Fra._ Come along, my pretty ones--come.

_Will._ Is it far to home?

_Fra._ No, we shall be there directly, now.

_Bar._ Hold! Whose children are these?

_Fra._ My master's.

_Will._ Is that my father?

_Bar._ It darts like lightning through my brain. A word with you. I know
you love your master. Strange things have happened here. Your master has
found his wife again.

_Fra._ Indeed! Glad to hear it.

_Bar._ Mrs. Haller--

_Fra._ Is she his wife? Still more glad to hear it.

_Bar._ But he is determined to go from her.

_Fra._ Oh!

_Bar._ We must try to prevent it.

_Fra._ Surely.

_Bar._ The unexpected appearance of the children may perhaps assist us.

_Fra._ How so?

_Bar._ Hide yourself with them in that hut. Before a quarter of an hour
is passed you shall know more.

_Fra._ But--

_Bar._ No more questions, I entreat you. Time is precious.

_Fra._ Well, well: questions are not much in my way. Come, children.

_Will._ Why, I thought you told me I should see my father.

_Fra._ So you shall, my dear. Come, moppets.

[_Goes into the Hut with the Children._

_Bar._ Excellent! I promise myself much from this little artifice. If
the mild look of the mother fails, the innocent smiles of these his own
children will surely find the way to his heart. [_Taps at the Lodge
door, the STRANGER comes out._] Charles, I wish you joy.

_Stra._ Of what?

_Bar._ You have found her again.

_Stra._ Show a bankrupt the treasure which he once possessed, and then
congratulate him on the amount!

_Bar._ Why not, if it be in your power to retrieve the whole?

_Stra._ I understand you: you are a negociator from my wife. It won't
avail.

_Bar._ Learn to know your wife better. Yes, I am a messenger from her;
but without power to treat. She, who loves you unutterably, who without
you never can be happy, renounces your forgiveness; because, as she
thinks, your honour is incompatible with such a weakness.

_Stra._ Pshaw! I am not to be caught.

_Bar._ Charles! consider well--

_Stra._ Steinfort, let me explain all this. I have lived here four
months. Adelaide knew it.

_Bar._ Knew it! Sh