class="ex">[Exit Jerome.

Flora. A fine sweetheart, truly, I have got—and if this old fright proves another, I'll be even with him.

Enter Antonio—She courtesys

Antonio. Hah!—what!—what is all this!—what have we here?—what have we here?—a pretty girl—a very pretty girl indeed!—My niece's new maid, I suppose—Aye, aye, I had the other sent about her business—She must be like her mistress forsooth, and have nothing to say to a man—(going up to Flora) My dear, come this way—I think your's is a new face—

Flora. Yes, Sir—and I think your's is an old one.

Antonio. Hem—hem.—Pray what is your name?

Flora. A very good name—and I intend never to change it for a bad one.—

Antonio. Look in my face—What do you blush for?

Flora. For you.

Antonio. Come, come, no pertness—but let me bid you welcome to the castle. (offers to salute her.)

Flora. No, indeed you shan't.

Antonio. I will bid you welcome to the castle. (after a struggle he salutes her.)

Flora. Upon my word, Sir, you are very rude—How would you like I should serve you so?

Antonio. Do—Do—serve me so—you are very welcome.

Enter JEROME.

Jerome. Flora, there's a young woman at the gate, who says she lives with Donna Isabella, and wants to speak to you upon some particular business—Can your Honor spare her with no inconvenience to yourself?

Antonio. Yes—Yes—she may go—(Exit Flora and Jerome) A young woman at the gate, now do I want to bid her welcome to the castle—a maid of Donna Isabella, our neighbour—by the bye I must bring about an acquaintance with Donna Isabella and the Countess my niece, if I can, for I am told Isabella is a very beautiful lady—and I should like to bid her welcome to the castle—but, notwithstanding all the pains I have taken, ever since she has arrived, to procure a sight of her, I have not been able—I would, however, force myself into the house, but it seems she has a young brother, the Marquis, come down on a visit to her within these three days, and he might take upon him to resent my gallantry—and I can't say I am fond of resentments, rage and hatred—no, no, the softer passions possess me wholly. [Exit.

SCENE II.

Marquis. But my dear sister, did not you seduce me to this melancholy spot, on a promise that you would procure me an introduction to the rich widow, the charming Countess?—Interest first prompted my wishes, but since I have beheld her, it is love.

Isabel. Beheld her!

Marquis. Yes, beheld her—walking in her garden—sitting negligently in an arbor.

Isabel. But how?—How contrive to see her?—

Marquis. From the top of our house, through a telescope—but, my dear sister, do bring us a little nearer, or I'll purchase a speaking trumpet, and make love to her through it, though my passion be heard by every soul within a quarter of a mile.

Isabel. I tell you I have