it will be I shall be too happy-I shall be—it won't bear thinking of! [Exit, R. D., with candle-Stage dark.

Ros. Ha, ha! but, zounds! I'm all in the dark! here, my good fellow, tell the girl to bring a light. This young creature, Ernestine, has interested me, and shall profit by my good opinion; my prudish little hostess, too, so piquant, so provoking; I must know them further. I don't know how it is, but I'm always amatory on a journey. A post-chaise is sure to make me poetical: my busy fancy conjures up a romance for every hovel I encounter; my imagination converts every passing girl, in a garret, into a rustic Venus. Let me prepare myself for the night, that I may be in readiness to receive the visit of this same white phantom, should she be inclined to favour me so far.—Oh, here's the light.

Enter MARCELLINE, with a light in a dirty flat candlestick, R. D.

Mur. [Aside.] To think, now, he should be our new lord! I've brought you a light, please your honour's glory! I were coming with it.

Ros. I thank you, my good girl; put it down. [Marcelline goes up stage.] Amazingly polite of a sudden; they've got me into the coop, like a capon for plucking; and now they are coaxing me to eat, I suppose.

Enter MADAME GERTRUDE, bearing two silver candlesticks, with wax candles.

Ger. Marcelline here! impertinent baggage! [Goes up to the table and puts down the candles, then advances in c.] How dare you bring his honour such a light as that? Leave the room, hussy! [Pushes Marcelline out at R. door. Ros. What, my pretty hostess come to visit me? so much for Mr. de Trop's dragon of virtue ! I foresee an adventure.

Ger. [Courtesying.] A thousand pardons, sir! Ros. Eh! here's as great a change in the mistress as the maid! You are very polite, madame.

Ger. Is there any thing your honour wishes for? Ros. There is, there is, I wish to see you; I would talk with you, my pretty hostess. You must forgive the shock I offered to your virtue this evening, in so imprudently attempting to seize that favour in public which should have been reserved for a time and place more select.

Ger. Ah, Monsieur! can you forgive my boldness, my rudeness-I knew not what I did!

Ros. One lovely as you cannot do wrong; the little striking proof of your attention to appearances, with which you obliged me this evening, I shall remember only as a trait of one as piquant as she is charming. What a form is this

Ger. Monsieur !

Ros. I must and will have a kiss!

Ger. For heaven's sake, sir

Rosambert attempts to kiss her—she resists, and endeavours to get away-he catches hold of her shawl to detain her she escapes, leaving the shawl in his handvexed and disappointed, he throws the shawl over the back of a chair-Madame Gertrude evinces great indignation.

Ger. I must requst, sir, you will abstain from these freedoms, which are as disagreeable as they are unexpected from a soldier and a gentleman I had rather anticipated protection than insult.

Ros. Wheugh! here's a tirade of ultra-virtue! I have done, madame. I shall offend no farther.

[Goes up, c., and sits. Ger. [Retires slowly to the door; just as she is about to exit, she turns round.] You-have-no further orders, then?

Ros. Eh! she won't want chopping into mince-meat, I see. [Rises.] I shall conquer this dragon yet. [Advances, R.] Yes! I promised to speak to you in behalf of a suitor of your's-one of the bumpkins of the village, who aspires to the honour of your hand.

Ger. That odious Mr. De Trop; could you, sir, think for a moment I could listen to such a lout? Ros. I must perform my embassy!

Ger. I cannot listen to you.

Ros. Well, if you won't hear me in behalf of another, let me plead once more on my own account.

Ger. That would be even more dangerous! I see you would persuade me against my better reason; but, knowing my enemy, I must guard against him. [Stop her ears.] Now then, I'm prepared.

Ros. You mustn't be angry at what I'm going to say Ger. I can't be angry, for I can't hear you!

Ros. When I ask you, if you can refuse me a kissGer. I can't hear you.

Ros. Silence means consent, they say.
Ger. I shan't speak!

Ros. Now's my time, then.

[As Rosambert kisses Madame Gertrude, a noise is heard as of something falling at the window in F.-She gives a faint exclamation of terror, and withdraws her hands from her ears.

Ger. That alarm! good heavens! some one is listening without let me away-should I be discovered, I am ruined. [Exit hastily, R. D. Ros. Provoking interruption! at such an interesting moment-who dares-

[Rushes towards the window in F., the folding sashes of which are suddenly thrown open-ERNESTINE enters slowly, in a state of somnambulism, in a plain white night dress, with a chamber-candlestick in her handRosambert, with astonishment, retreats quietly a little towards R.

Ros. [In a half-whisper.] What do I see? the white phantom! Good heavens! 'tis Ernestine! She sleeps -can I believe my eyes? Still there-'tis no delusion! Let me observe her; hush!

Ern. [Placing the candle on table.] I have not kept you waiting, have I? [She appears to think herself before the glass, arranging her hair.] I had to prepare my dress. All here? Thank ye, thank ye, friends. Yes, now for the sports. [Advances, c.] Madame Gertrude shall go in! tie the handkerchief tightly-take care she does not see: now, then, all is ready!

[Ernestine, by her action, imagines herself still playing at blind-man's-buff. She crosses, R.

Ros. (L.) She thinks she is still engaged in the sports. I have heard there is danger in abruptly awaking persons in this state. This, then, is the dreaded white phantom! the village terror !

Ern. [Clapping her hands, as in the game.] Ah, she will catch me-Edmund, Edmund, save me!

[Catches hold of Rosambert's hand. Ros. She takes me for her lover; shall I wake her? Ern. [Clinging closely to Rosambert.] She touched me! but with thee, dearest Edmund! I fear nothing! Oh, how blissful is this moment!

Ros. She dreams that she is happy-I will not awake ber!

Ern. Come nearer, love-why do you avoid me? you frown! What have I done? how have I offended you? Ah, you are jealous! this young stranger,-this young officer !

Ros. Oh, the devil! I must awake her!

Ern. Indeed, you have no cause-to me he has no charms!

Ros. [Impatiently.] I must awake her!

Ern. You are mine alone-yes, dear Edmund !

Ros. (R.) Sweet creature! Oh, that I had such a wife! I shouldn't like this wandering in her sleep, though.

Ern. Before all the world do I prefer thec, dear; come, sit down. [Rosumbert places a chair for Ernestine -she sits] There, there is my hand; no one observes us; you can take a kiss; now all is joy again.

[Rosambert kisses her hand. Ros. Egad! this is a pleasant dream for me. But I must not wake her; let me shut the window, that no one may interrupt us.

[Rosambert goes up to shut the window.

Enter MADAME Gertrude, softly, R. D.

Ger. Did you ring the bell? [Seeing Ernestine.] What do I see? a woman here? perfidious man! let me [Exit, unperceived, R. D.

away.

Ern. Ah! has the morning come so soon? All my friends assembled? kind, very kind! yet still I tremble -nay, I will be firm; yet this solemn shrine, this sacred rite-[Rosambert puts back the chair.] No-no-I have not forgotten the ring-let the ceremony proceed, I will command myself.

Ros. [Returning, L.] What do I see? She believes the ceremony is performing !

Ern. Do I love Edmund, holy father? Oh, yes yes ! freely will I take the solemn vow! let us kneel. [Kneels.] Here, in the eye of heaven, I swear! in sorrow, in sickness, in health, and in pleasure, for richer, for poorer, forsaking all other, to love, honour, and obey him!— Now, Edmund, I indeed am thine.

Ros. Poor girl! can I be the rascal to destroy such innocence? No, no-Rosambert, thou art a giddy, gay fellow, but thou hast a heart to protect, not betray--no, no, thou must listen to the voice of honour, and, though à soldier, must retreat. [Going up, c.

C

Ern. Thank ye, thank ye, friends-yes, I am very happy.

[Courtesies as if receiving the congratulations of her friends.

Ros. My only safety is in flight-I'll fly while I can, then. [Opens the window.] The moon shines brightly, and will light me to my Chateau.-Adieu, poor Ernestine-your misfortune makes this chamber the temple of purity. Yes! yes! ill befall that man who would take advantage of a helpless girl, to rob her of her innocence and place. [Exit at window in F.

Ern. We must go-where is my shawl? Thank you, thank you. [Gets up-bows as if being helped on with Madame Gertrude's shawl, which, having been left on the chair, she throws over her shoulders.] Adieu, adieu! come, Edmund-adieu, adieu! [Courtesies, as if taking leave, and crosses her hands, as if to confine her shawl.] Adieu, Madame Gertrude! adi-e-u! [Slow music.

[Takes two or three steps backwards, and encounters the couch, R., prepared for the bed of Rosambert-sits down on it, then places her arm beneath her head, reclines, and sleeps quietly.—The candles on the table, during the progress of the scene, gradually burn down, and expire-stage becomes dark.

Enter BAILLIE, very cautiously, leading in EDMUND, Dame MICHAUD, and COLIN, at R. door.—Morning is now seen breaking through the window, and, during the remainder of the scene, the stage becomes gradually lighter.

Bai. Softly, gently, my children! Egad! this will be a rare surprise; our young lord little dreams of our stealing this march upon him.

Dame M. Mercy on me, Mr. Baillie, you take us by surprise, too! But how could you possibly think I could disturb Ernestine; you forgot that she is to be married this morning.

Bai. Odd so! so I did! Mr. Edmund, as principal tenant on the estate, it falls to your lot to deliver our congratulations on his lordship's arrival.

Edm. With all my heart: but you awoke me from the most delightful dream of my dear Ernestine.—I'm not very fond of disturbing people's rest; however, here goes[Advances towards the bed, R. Dame M. Ay, ay, don't let us lose any more time. Edm. [Seeing Ernestine, and starting.] Gracious