Bob. All right, sir; a table, two chairs, a bed, and a boot-jack. [Exeunt at the back, c., followed by Bob. After a pause, knocking is heard, ɩ.

Enter RURAL, L.

Rur. Littleton! Littleton! Litt-eh!-bless me, nobody! Tom, come in.

Enter Toм COKE, L.

Tom. I'm here, minister; so these be brother Littleton's chambers-well, they don't look prodigal, neither. Rur. No, no, but where is he?

Tom. And they ca' this the Temple, eh? It'll be moire loike a coil hoile aboove ground than owt else a knaw; well, minister, you would coome up to town wi' me; here we are-what next?

Rur. My dear boy, I know that you feel an old man like me a burthen on you-now you are a great man, a member of parliament.

Tom. That's onkind of you, minister, and you're not given to say cruel things; why, isn't your face the very first thing in the world I can remember? haven't you been a father to us since we were left orphans? a burthen! that's the hardest word you spoke since you taught us catechesm wi brother Littleton sitting on one knee and I on t'oother.

Rur. Think of that, Tom, do; and to see you united again is my prayer.

Tom. But wha couldn't yaw wait until we had set down quietly in the Earl of Pompion's house, according to his invitation? 'Twas main kind of him, minister; he's the Home Secretary, and the next post after I was made member o' Parliament, brought me a hearty invitation to his house that's hospitality.

Rur. But where is Littleton ?

Tom. I'll tell ye :-in bed, sleeping off his last night's debauch, or wi' flushed and haggard cheek, still leaning over the gambling table.

NOTE. The language used by Tom Coke is written in a broad dialect, to distinguish the character, but should be acted with an accent only; and in Provincial Theatres, should not be given to the gentleman performing Yorkshiremen, but to the eccentric comedian.

Rur. No, Tom, no! my little pupil, my child! a gam ›ler!—no! he was wild, sensitive, but you know he was

lever

Tom. I know no more than this-I remember him, the rapture of my poor mother, the hope of my father-and you, you always loved him best.

Rur. Tom, Tom, don't reproach me! Tom. Reproach: nay, not so— -Nature gave him a great mind, me only an honest one. He was born for greater things than I, and so he had all that wealth could lavish on him-I didn't grudge it him-he fed from the silver plate, I from the wooden platter-I cared nuaw't for that; but at his grand school, why did he find the houses of my lord this, and marquis that, more welcome than his own home? I don't reproach, mind-but-but when our mother died I stood alone by her-and her last breath prayed for him. I wasn't jealous, minister; but in my father's will, the part that gave me my inheritance was writ in the hard hand of a lawyer's clerk, while the gift to Littleton, with a blessing, was penned by the trembling fingers of my father, and blotted wi' his tears. I've tried to hate him.

Rur. Tom!

Tom. I did, but I couldn't. The same strange love you all showed for him, I shared wi' you-a'most against ma will-and when those short heartless letters would come, containing nowt but calls for money-money-money-I could ha' freely given ten times what I lent, for but four words of heart's blood in 'em, if 'twor but "God bless ye, Tom."

Rur. And he will say so when he sees you-he will.Think what a dear child he was-so clinging, affectionate, innocent. [Spoken very affectionately. Tom. Ye forget, that was fifteen years ago.

Rur. Was it?-bless me-so it was-but you remember how generous, and kind, and wild he was-how I doted on the trouble he used to give me; and how cleverquite overpowered my faculties. I could never teach him anything but cat's cradle.

Re-enter BOB, C. D. F.

Oh, here is his servant.

[Bob advances, whistling, and sits on the table L.

Tom. Where be thy measter, lad?

Bob. Beyond your clutches, vampire! oh, you may stare!

Tom. What dost mean?

Bob. Why, that the paltry debt I suppose you come to sue for, will be paid.

Tom. My debt? he knows me, then?

Bob. Unhappily, he does.

Tom. Is this his welcome when a come to tak him by the hand?

Bob. By the collar, you mean-oh, there, seize-seize ! --your sort don't refuse even two-pence in the pound. Tom. This is too much. [Attempts to get at Bob. Rur. Stop, don't be rash! let me see the boy. [Crosses to c., and puts on his spectacles.] My good boy, I'm sure you will tell me where your master is.

[Looking Bob in the face affectionately.

Bob. Oh, you precious old rascal!

Rur. Good gracious!

Bob. Arn't you ashamed of yourself?
Tom. Let me at him.

[Rural starts.

Rur. [Holding Tom.] No! no! Tom, I insist.

Bob. I say it again-you are vampires, leeches, and, though I am nothing but a poor servant, before I would do a day's work like this, I'd see all the gains your trade has ever wrenched from misery sunk to the bottom of the sea-ach! [Exit, slamming the door, L. Tom. Well, minister, ar't satisfied now? Rur. He never could intend— Tom. Intend-didn't he know us-he spoke of my debt-ob, 'twas done by his orders-let us go.

[ Crosses to L. Rur. He called me an old rascal-and asked me if I wasn't ashamed of myself-ashamed of-coming.

Tom. Come, come, your errand's over-forget him. Rur. To me-to me-my hopes-my fond, fond hopes of seeing him again-of reconciling-of-oh, Tom! Tom. And I, too-but no matter-I loos him off for ever-you shall return to-day to Yorkshire.

Rur. No, not yet--there's some-some mistake-forgive him.

Tom. I cared nowt for what he said o' me, but to insoolt you, his old friend, his father!

Rur. Yes-but he could not mean to-to

Tom. Why, dommed if ye beant crying. The villain coom—don't take on so-the-the

Rur. No-never mind.

Tom. I wouldn't-if I could only get one crack at his , I'd forgive him.

Rur. Don't be violent. I can't-I won't believe my rs against my heart. I'll see him-I'll talk to him as I

ed.

Tom. The heartless reprobate.

[Crosses, R.

Rur. [Sternly.] Tom, I'll not allow you to speak so of ur little brother.

Tom. Nay, 'taint bad enough, that's sure.

Rur. God bless me! there-your violence has made me vear—I declare I shall be angry: now, my dear Tomyou will only leave it all to me, and have patience, you ill see that I am right.

[Going, followed by Tom grumbling.

Tom. Go on- -defend him again

Rur. If only you would be quiet.

Tom. T'ould man's getting crazy, I'm thinking. Rur. And have patience-now only a little patience. [Exeunt, L., Rural crying and expostulating, followed by Tom, grumbling.

END OF ACT 1.

ACT II.

SCENE I.-Lady Pompion's Boudoir.-Decorated in Arabesque, furnished very richly in buhl and marqueterie, divans, prideux, causeuses, bergères and dormeuses, covered in chintz; tambour frame, and work tables—or namental writing table-alabaster French clock-Indian screen, &c.

LADY POMPION discovered reclining on a bergère, R., with her feet shawled on an Ottoman, and a Spaniel in her lap. Lady P. [Yawning and closing a book.] Really, parlia ment ought to do something for that dear creature, Eugene Sue. I'll speak to the Earl about it! [Strikes a gong.

Enter a richly liveried SERVANT, L.

Has Willis sent out those invitations?

Ser. Yes, my lady.

Lady P. I am not at home this morning to any one. Ser. Lord Charles Roebuck, my lady, is expected every

moment.

pe

Lady P. Oh, true! Charles does arrive to-day from Paris: well, tell him the number of my box at the Opera, and my hour in the ring. I dare say we shall meet-my nerves are not equal to receiving him now. [Loud and culiar knock.] Good heavens! can that be he? Ser. No, my lady! that is lady Alice Hawthorn's tiger. Lady P. I'm not at home-I could never survive that girl an hour.

Enter LADY ALICE HAWTHORN, l.

Lady A. Then prepare to die, my dear aunt, for here I am for the day-ha! ha! [To the Servant.] Tell my groom to bring my carriage at nine. [To Lady Pompion.] You will excuse my leaving your table at so early an hour, but I never miss the last act of the Barbiere.

Lady P. My head-my head-the salts-the restoratives.

Lady A. Tom-bring the liqueur case. [Exit Servant, L.] Ha ha! well, my dear, I heard of Charley's arrival, so I have come to dine with you tell me, what is he like? -partiality apart-is he worth making love to?

Lady P. Charles has not yet arrived home.

Lady A. Why, I saw, by the Post, that he arrived in town last night.

Lady P. Indeed! ah! well!-he might as well have sent a card.

Lady A, A card! has he not rattled you up at four in the morning-broken in your knocker panel, and pulled up the bell by the roots? Hasn't he dislocated your wrist. and kissed you into an asthma? hasn't—

Lady P. Lady Alice, my son has not the manners of Abdel-Kader to take my establishment by such a surprise, and I trust he always leaves bells and knockers to

the servants.

Lady A. Does he then Charley's occupation's gone