CLAVJGO: A TRAGEDY. 323 



seat in the deepest perplexity.} The youngest declined many considerable 

 matches; cherished a passion for the youth, which helped to support her un- 

 der cares attendant on uncertain expectations. She interested herself in his 

 happiness as for her own, and stimulated him in the composition of the 

 first paper of his weekly publication, which appeared under very pro- 

 mising 1 auspices. (Clavigo in extreme embarrassment.) The work was 

 astonishingly successful. The king himself, delighted with their beautiful 

 production, bestowed on the author public tokens of his favour. He was 

 promised the first considerable office which should become vacant. From 

 that moment he distanced all rivals from his beloved, and he openly paid his 

 addresses to her. Their marriage was delayed solely in expectation of the 

 promised provision. At length, after waiting six years of uninterrupted 

 friendship, assistance, and love on her part ; after six years of devotion, gra- 

 titude, attention, and the most sacred assurances on his part, the office ap- 

 pears, and he vanishes. (A deep sigh escapes Clavigo, which he endeavours to 

 conceal, and is quite disconcerted.) The affair created great sensation, and an 

 eclaircissement was expected. A house for two families had been hired. The 

 whole town talked of it. The ladies' friends were enraged, and sought for ven- 

 geance. They applied to the powerful patron, but the trifler, who was al- 

 ready initiated in the cabals of the court, knew how to render their endeavours 

 fruitless, and went so far in his insolence, that he dared to threaten the un- 

 happy girl, ventured to tell those friends who waited on him that " the French- 

 women had better be cautious;" he warned them " how they injured him, 

 and if they dared to undertake any proceeding to his prejudice, it would 

 be an easy matter for him to ruin them, as they were in a foreign country, 

 without protection or assistance." The poor girl, upon this information, 

 fell into convulsions, which threatened her life. In the depth of her misery 

 the eldest wrote to France an account of the open insult which had been 

 offered them. The intelligence fearfully agitated their brother, he ap- 

 plied for leave of absence in order personally to give advice and assis- 

 tance in this embarrassing affair; he has flown from Paris to Madrid. That 

 brother am I ! who have left all country, duty, family, rank, fortune, to 

 revenge in Spain an innocent, unhappy sister. I come armed with the 

 justest cause, and a thorough determination to unmask a betrayer, with 

 sanguinary purpose to show him his base soul ! That betrayer art 

 thou ! 



Clav. Hear me, Sir ! I am I have I doubt not 



Beau. Do not interrupt me. You have nothing to say, and much to 

 hear. Now to make a beginning, be so good as to explain before this 

 gentleman, who has come with me from France expressly, whether my 

 sister, from any faithlessness, levity, weakness, bad habit, or any fault, 

 has merited this open insult from you. 



Clav. No, Sir; your sister, Donna Maria, is a lady full of intellect, amia- 

 bility and virtue. 



Beau. Has she, by her conversation at any time, given you occasion to 

 complain of her, or to esteem her less? 



Clav. Never ! never once ! 



Beau. (Standing up.} And why monster ! had you the cruelty to torture 

 the poor girl to death ? because her heart preferred you to many others, 

 who were all richer and more honourable than you. 



Clav. Oh, sir ! if you knew how I have been instigated how I, through 

 many advisers and circumstances 



Beau. Enough! (To Saint George.} You have heard my sister's exculpation 

 go and circulate it. What I have further to say to this gentleman needs no 

 witness. (Clavigo rises. Saint George exit. To Clavigo) Stay! stay! (Both 

 sit down.} As we have gone so far, I will make you a proposal to which I 

 hope you will assent. It is neither your wish nor mine that you should 



