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and yet something makes me so uncomfortable-something weighs, weighs whenever I think of her :-nonsense! I can't help it, though, My heart's as heavy as my eyes! I should like to see her again. Ay, that I should I should-I-I[Sleeps. Enter CHRISTINE and BRANDT with plates, table, cloth, napkins, &c. &c.

Chris. Come! lay the cloth there. Brisk brisk! mind that nothing's wanting. See that all's in order

all the best.

[Laying the cloth on the front table.-Exit BRANDT. Carl. [Dreaming.] Poor dear! Poor Christine ! Chris-ris

Chris. [Starting.] Who calls? [Turns, and sees CARLITZ. Gracious Heaven! 'tis he! 'Tis Carlitz! [Runs up to him, but checks herself, seeing RONS

LAUS enter from the Inn, with a bottle in each hand.

Rons. Victory! I've taken the wine-cellar by storm! What a glorious army, all ranged in battle order! But 'tis no trifle can make me fall back. I've made daylight shine through the ranks. There! [Sets the bottles on the table, R. CHRISTINE'S eyes are riveted on CARLITZ. RONSLAUS goes to her, and takes her hand.] What's the matter, Christine? Your hand trembles.

Chris. [Her eyes on CARLITZ.] N-n-nothing; nn-nothing.

It's

Rons. Nothing? "Tis something, I'm sure. what I was saying to you just now, isn't it, Christine? Ah! so much the better-that's a good sign-ay, ayI'm glad to see that. Come, you shall sit down there, and keep us company.

Chris. No, no, no! Oh, no! I'm wanted within. The waiter will stay with you-and I-while you're at table, I'll be in and out, to see there's nothing forgot.

[Exit CHRISTINE, still looking as she goes at CARLITZ.

Rons. As you please. [Goes and slaps CARLITZ on the shoulder.] Comrade! to your post!

Carl. [Starting up.] I've nothing more, soldiers! You've got all I had. [Rubbing his eyes.] Hey? [Looking around, recovers, and then bursts into a laugh.] Ha, ha, ha! Well, if I didn't think I was caught by the enemy again.

Rons. No, not the enemy, but the best friend in the world to a hungry traveller-a breakfast for a general. Carl. Ah! what a pity! [Sighing.

Rons. What a pity?.

Carl. Yes; just as you waked me, I was deputy postmaster of the village, and from my house window I saw myself riding in a one-horse chaise to a smoking dinner at the justice's.

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[They sit at the table, R., RONSLAUS next the house, CARLITZ opposite.

Rons. Your dreams end in smoke, do they? I'm for the solid. Come, set to. [CARLITZ spreads the napkin on his lap, and puts the plate on it.] Now I should sooner have thought that a young looking lad like you would have dreamt of riding to see some village-beauty -some fair dulcinea. I'm sure you have some one in corner thereabouts. Fill, boy! [CARLITZ pours water into his glass, which RONSLAUS observing, fills it up with wine, then pours out his own wine, which CARLITZ is about to mix with water.] What are you at? No water for me. [CHRISTINE returns with a bottle and plates, and sets them on the stone table, L. She remains on, her eyes riveted on CARLITZ, and from time to time recedes or advances as the conversation more or less excites her interest.] Drink my toast. Here's to the girl of my heart. [Drinks.

Carl. Here's to the girl of my heart. [Drinks.] That's all right-[Eating.] But then, you see, Mr. Soldier, in my situation one ought never to dream of marrying.

Chris. [Apart.] Indeed!

Carl. I'm not exactly my own master. True, there was somebody of our parts that I did promise to marry.

Rons. You did promise? And why the devil didn't you keep your promise?

Carl. Oh, family reasons-[Still eating]-family

reasons.

Rons. That's another matter-that's no business of mine. Your health, Mr. Post-horse.

Carl. [Offering the water again, which the other repels.] I couldn't have a nicer girl-because, though 'tis a long time since I saw her, yet she was so gentle, so pretty. I did love her so! but just as I was making up my mind, I thought how I should manage to get on

in the world. Then I thought what a fine thing it was to be a man of consequence; and these ideas, you know, drive out the others.

Rons. A promise to a woman is like a promise to a colonel, and ought to be held sacred. Though fortune disappoint or exceed our hopes, 'tis all one. Every thing else may change, but plighted vows never.Your honour once given, you have no right to flinch. Chris. [Aside.] Honest, honest heart!

.

Carl. But then, Mr. Soldier, if it should so happen hat I should not, by keeping my promise, make her happy? [CHRISTINE darts forward. Rons. That alters the case. Then you should tell her so at once, and not keep the poor girl in the fidgets. You should write the truth to her thus. [Takes his knife, and seems to write with the point of it on the plate, as he repeats slowly-] Miss-I take up my pen for to make it known unto you, that I don't love you any more, and so you have no need to wait any longer, and you are free to marry any body else as soon as you like. This from your loving husband that was to be, Carlitz.'-That's the way delicate and feeling people do when they've had a good education.

Carl. Very well; but then I'll never write that to her.

Rons. You won't? [Sternly.] What! you won't?

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Carl. I didn't say I wouldn't write-no I will write; -but then I'll phrase in another sort of a way-I'm willing to tell her, Miss, I don't love you any more' -but then I can't say, 'Miss, you may love somebody else.' She's a treasure, I know; and though I'm content not to take the treasure to myself, I shouldn't like to see it in another man's keeping.

Rons. What the devil do you mean by that? Do you want to make a fool of the girl? Write, I tell you. Waiter !

Enter BRANDT from the Inn,

Pens, ink, and paper!

Bran. You'll find 'em all in the room at the side there, where mistress makes out her bills.

[Exit BRANDT. Cart. [Rises.] I will write, as you insist upon it; for, after the breakfast you have given me, Mr. Soldier,

'twould be ungrateful not to oblige you; but, then, I'll turn it in my own way.

Rons. Turn it as you please, but write.

Carl. I'll go and write directly. You shall see. Rons. Come-a drop of brandy first, to settle your breakfast. There's nothing so good for the stomach as an honourable action and a glass of brandy.

[RONSLAUS pours out, and drinks. CARLITZ seems absorbed, walks about, and says]—

Carl. Yes, yes. You shall find I'm worthy to drink with you-yes-1 will write.

Rons. Then why the devil don't you?

Carl. Yes, I will-I will. *

[RONSLAUS pushes him into the Inn. CHRISTINE darts forward, looks after CARLITZ, and bursts into tears.]

Rons. These young chaps! it's so hard to bring 'em to their senses! Perhaps the poor girl is fretting like Christine. [Turns and sees her.] Zounds, Christine! what's all this?

Chris. Don't mind me ; don't mind me-it's over, it's over. [Aside.] But I'll have firmness: I'll have courage. [Aloud.] Ronslaus, do you love me?

Rons. Do I love you?-By the great cannons, I love you more than fighting.

Chris. Well, then-I-I should so like to be revenged on him! Ronslaus, I almost think I love you. But I-I won't answer for it, Ronslaus-I won't answer for it.

Rons. No matter. The first plunge is all.

Chris. Awhile ago you offered me your hand-
Rons. Which you now accept?

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Chris. No, no, not instantly, because you-you are

This piece is sometimes performed in two acts, and the division is made here. RONSLAUS, in pushing CARLITZ into the inn, follows him, and CHRISTINE remains. After a pause, she says,

Chris. Should he write it !-Oh Carlitz, you will break my heart. How shall I act ?-marry Ronslaus, and resign Carlitz? Yes, Ronslaus, your honourable love-but the letter-I'll watch them, .nd the result shall be decided by the letter! Oh, Carlitz! Carlits! [Exit, in extreme agitation and tears. The act here ends, and the next commences, without a change of scene, with the appearance of CHRISTINE, whose manner indicates that she has been observing CARLITZ and RONSLAUS. She says, Chris. He has written the letter, and Ronslaus returns!

Here RONSLAUS enters; and the rest of the piece proceeds as it stands

going away, you know. But never, never, without your leave, shall it be given to another: I promise-never without your leave! In a month, or when you come back-then-not-not just now-I-I-I'll marry you,

Ronslaus.

Rons. You promise?

Chris. Yes, I promise-on one condition.

Rons. Nonsense! always making conditions! Well, speak-what conditions ?

Chris. That from this moment you call yourself my husband.

Rons. Hey!

Chris. Yes. Never speak of me but as your wife.
Rons. For what reason?

Chris. I can't tell-I-Oh, you are welcome to refuse. Is it so hard for you to consent to let me wear your name?

Rons. Hard? No, Christine! But when I would give my life for you, it seems too little merely to give you my name! However, have your own way. "Tis yours! Though but an humble name, it is at least a pure one, and that is an advantage which many a one much better born can't bring with him to the altar.

Carl. I've done it.

[CARLITZ is heard without.

Chris. So here he comes. [Aside.]

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Carl. [Entering with the letter.] I've done it, Mr. Soldier, and I'm sure 'twill please you a great deal better than your own. You'll be astonished at me, that you will, when you read it. [Sees CHRISTINE.] What -what-Christine! Hey! ha, ha, ha! Christine ! Chris. [Feigning "astonishment.]

that isn't Carlitz!

Why, Lord! if

Rons. And how came you to know him, hey? Chris. He's a relation of mine that I've not seen this long, long while. Well, now, who would have thought

of seeing you here, Carlitz?

Carl. [Aside.] She's prettier than ever! [Puts up the letter.] How queer I do feel!..

Chris. My heart beats so, I can hardly-[Aloud]— You can't think how pleased we are both-both-to see you here, Carlitz.

Carl. Both? what does she mean by 'both?'

Rons. "Both! [Aside, exultingly.] That word gives me such a fluttering! Both! [aloud]" Ay, lad,

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