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A Room at the Lodgings of Mr. Irwin.

Mr. Irwin and Lady Eleanor Irwin discovered.

Lady E.My dear husband, my dear Irwin, I cannot bear to see you thus melancholy. Is this the joy of returning to our native country, after a nine years’ banishment?

Irw.Yes: For I could bear my misfortunes, my wretched poverty, with patience, in a land where our sorrows were shared by those about us; but here, in London, where plenty and ease smile upon every face; where, by your birth you claim distinction, and I by services;—here to be in want,—to be obliged to take another name, through shame of our own,—to tremble at the voice of every stranger, for fear he should be a creditor,—to meet each old acquaintance with an averted eye, because we would not feel the pang of being shunned. To have no reward for all this, even in a comfortable home; but in this our habitation, to see our children looking up to me for that support I have not in my power to give—Can I,—can I love them and you, and not be miserable?

Lady E.Yet I am not so. And I am sure you will not doubt my love to you or them.

Irw.I met my uncle this morning, and was mean enough to repeat my request to him:—he burst into a fit of laughter, and told me my distresses were the result of my ambition, in marrying the daughter of a nobleman, who himself was too ambitious ever to pardon us.

Lady E.Tell me no more of what he said.

Irw.This was a day of trials;—I saw your father too.

Lady E.My father! Lord Norland! Oh Heavens!

Irw.He passed me in his carriage.

Lady E.I envy you the blessing of seeing him! For, oh!—Excuse my tears—he is my father still.—How did he look?

Irw.As well as he did at the time I used to watch him from his house, to steal to you.—But I am sorry to acquaint you, that, to guard himself against all returning love for you, he has, I am informed, adopted a young lad, on whom he bestows every mark of that paternal affection, of which you lament the loss.

Lady E.May the young man deserve his tenderness better than I have done—May he never disobey him—May he be a comfort, and cherish his benefactor’s declining years—And when his youthful passions teach him to love, may they not, like mine, teach him disobedience!

Enter a Servant, with a Letter.

What is that letter?

Serv.It comes from Mr. Placid, the servant, who brought it, said, and requires no answer.

[Exit.

Irw.It’s strange how I tremble at every letter I see, as if I dreaded the contents. How poverty has unmanned me! [Aside.] I must tell you, my dear, that finding myself left this morning without a guinea, I wrote to Mr. Placid, to borrow a small sum: This is his answer: [Reading the Superscription.] To Mr. Middleton.—That’s right: he remembers the caution I gave him. I had forgot whether I had done so, for my memory is not so good as it was. I did not even now recollect this hand, though it is one I am so well acquainted with, and ought to give me joy rather than sorrow. [Opens the Letter hastily, reads, and lets it drop.] Now I have not a friend on earth.

Lady E.Yes, you have me. You forget me.

Irw.[In a Transport of Grief.] I would forget you—you—and all your children.

Lady E.I would not lose the remembrance of you or of them, for all my father’s fortune.

Irw.What am I to do? I must leave you! I must go, I know not whither! I cannot stay to see you perish.

[Takes his Hat, and is going.

Lady E.[Holding him.] Where would you go? ’tis evening—’tis dark—Whither would you go at this time?

Irw.[Distractedly.] I must consider what’s to be done—and in this room my thoughts seem too confined to reflect.

Lady E.And are London streets calculated for reflection?

Irw.No; for action. To hurry the faint thought to resolution.

Lady E.You are not well—Your health has been lately impaired.—Your temper has undergone a change too;—I tremble lest any accident—

Irw.What accident?

[Wildly.

Lady E.I know your provocations from an ungrateful world: But despise it: as that despises you.

Irw.But for your sake, I could.

Lady E.Then witness, Heaven, I am happy!—Though bred in all the delicacy, the luxury of wealth and splendour; yet I have never murmured at the change of fortune, while that change has made me wife to you, and mother of your children.

Irw.We will be happy—if possible. But give me this evening to consider what plan to fix upon.—There is no time to lose: we are without friends—without money,—without credit.—Farewell for an hour.—I will see Mr. Placid, if I can; and though he have not the money to lend, he may perhaps, give me some advice.

Lady E.Suppose I call on her?—Women are sometimes more considerate than men, and—

Irw.Do you for the best, and so will I.—Heavens bless you!

[Exeunt separately.