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SCENE XIV.

Lord AIMWORTH, Patty.

L. Aim. I came hither, Patty, in consequence of our conversation this morning, to render your change of state as agreeable and happy as I could: but your father tells me, you have fallen out with the farmer? has any thing happened, since I saw you last, to alter your good opinion of him?

751 Pat. No, my lord, I am in the same opinion with regard to the farmer now as I always was.

me

L. Aim. I thought, Patty, you loved him, you told

Pat. My lord!

L. Aim. Well, no matter-It seems I have been mistaken in that particular-Possibly your affections are engaged elsewhere: let me but know the man that can make you happy, and I swear▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 760 Pat. Indeed, my lord, you take too much trouble upon my account.

L. Aim. Perhaps, Patty, you love somebody so much beneath you, you are ashamed to own it; but your esteem confers a value wheresoever it is placed. I was too harsh with you this morning: our inclinations are not in our own power; they master the wisest of

us.

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Pat. Pray, pray my lord, talk not to me in this stile consider me as one destined by birth and fortune to the meanest condition and offices; who has

unhappily been apt to imbibe sentiments contrary to them! Let me conquer a heart, where pride and vanity have usurped an improper rule; and learn to know myself, of whom I have been too long ignorant.

L. Aim. Perhaps, Patty, you love some one so much above you, you are afraid to own it-If so, be his rank what it will, he is to be envied for the love of a woman of virtue, beauty, and sentiment, does honour to a monarch.- -What means that downcast look, those tears, those blushes? Dare you not confide in me?-Do you think, Patty, you have a friend in the world would sympathize with you more sincerely than I?

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Pat. What shall I answer ?—No, my lord, you have ever treated me with a kindness, a generosity of which none but minds like yours are capable: you have been my instructor, my adviser, my protector: but, my lord, you have been too good: when our superiors forget the distance between us, we are sometimes led to forget it too: had you been less condescending, perhaps I had been happier. 792

L. Aim. And have I, Patty, have I made you unhappy: I, who would sacrifice my own felicity, to secure your's?

Pat. I beg, my lord, you will suffer me to be gone : only believe me sensible of all your favours, though unworthy of the smallest.

L. Aim. How unworthy !-You merit every thing; my respect, my esteem, my friendship, and my love! -Yes, I repeat, I avow it: your beauty, your mo

desty, your understanding, have made a conquest of my heart.-But what a world do we live in! that, while I own this; while I own a passion for you, founded on the justest, the noblest basis, I must at the same time confess, the fear of that world, its taunts, its reproaches807

Pat. Ah, sir, think better of the creature you have raised, than to suppose I ever entertained a hope tending to your dishonour: would that be a return for the favours I have received? Would that be a grateful reverence for the memory of her- -Pity and pardon the disturbance of a mind that fears to enquire too minutely into its own sensations. I am unfortunate, my lord, but not criminal.

L. Aim. Patty, we are both unfortunate : for my own part, I know not what to say to you, or what to propose to myself. 818

Pat. Then, my lord, 'tis mine to act as I ought: yet, while I am honoured with a place in your esteem, imagine me not insensible of so high a distinction; or capable of lightly turning my thought towards another.

L. Aim. How cruel is my situation!--I am here, Patty, to command you to marry the man who has given you so much uneasiness.

Pat. My lord, I am convinced it is for your credit and my safety, it should be so: I hope I have not so ill profited by the lessons of your noble mother, but I shall be able to do my duty, whenever I am called to it: this will be my first support; time and reflection will complete the work.

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Lord AIMWORTH, PATTY, Sir HARRY SYCAMORE, THEODOSIA, GILES.

S. Har. No justice of peace, no bailiffs, no headborough !

L. Aim. What's the matter, Sir Harry?

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S. Har. The matter, my lord-While I was examining the construction of the mill without, for I have some small notion of mechanics, Miss Sycamore had like to have been run away with by a gipsey

man:

The. Dear papa, how can you talk so? Did not I tell you it was at my own desire the poor fellow went to shew me the canal. 850

S. Har. Hold your tongue, miss. I don't know any business you had to let him come near you at all;

we have stayed so long too; your mama gave us but half an hour, and she'll be frightened out of her wits —she'll think some accident has happened to me.

L. Aim. I'll wait upon you when you please.

S. Har. O! but my lord, here's a poor fellow; it seems his mistress has conceived some disgust against him pray has her father spoke to you to interpose your authority in his behalf?

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Giles. If his lordship's honour would be so kind, I would acknowledge the favour as far as in me lay. S. Har. Let me speak-[Takes Lord Aimworth aside] a word or two in your lordship's ear.

The. Well, I do like this gipsey scheme prodigiously, if we can but put it into execution as happily as we have contrived it.-[here Patty enters] So, my dear Patty, you see I am come to return your visit very soon; but this is only a call en passant—will you be at home after dinner? 870

Pat. Certainly, madam, whenever you condescend to honour me so far: but it is what I cannot expect. The. O fye, why not

Giles. Your servant, Miss Patty.

Pat. Farmer, your servant.

S. Har. Here you goodman delver, I have done your business; my lord has spoke, and your fortune's made: a thousand pounds at present, and better things to come; his lordship says he will be your friend.

Giles. I do hope, then, Miss Pat will make all up.

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