CLAVIGO : A TRAGEDY. 445 



ful confinement for the sake of his just cause. Another proposition, Car- 

 los another ! 



Car. Poh ! poh ! foolery ! We won't eat him ; he shall be arrested and 

 taken care of, and it cannot last long; for when he perceives that we are 

 in earnest, his theatrical zeal will most surely abate ; he will return chop- 

 fallen to France, and most civilly express himself beholden if you settle a 

 yearly stipend on his sister, to get which very likely was his whole and 

 sole object. 



Clav. So let it be then ; only deal gently with him. 



Car. Do not alarm yourself; one precaution more it is impossible to 

 know how it will be talked of how he may get wind of it; and, by anti- 

 cipating you, all will fall to the ground. Therefore go from home, and let 

 none of your servants know whither. Let your necessaries be packed up. 

 I will send a lad, who shall conduct you where the holy brotherhood them- 

 selves shall not find you. I have mouse-holes always open for such pur- 

 poses. Adieu ! 



Clav. Farewell! 



Car. Courage! courage!' When the matter is blown over, Brother, we 

 will enjoy ourselves. 



Guilbert's House. 

 Sophia Guilbert and Maria Beaumarchais at work. 



Mar. Did Buenco leave in such a fury, then ? 



Sop. It was quite natural. He loves you ; so how could he endure the 

 sight of a man he must doubly hate ? 



Mar. He is the best and worthiest burgher I have ever known. (Showing 

 her the work.} It should be put so, I think. I must draw this round here, 

 and stick the end up ; there, that will do. 



Sop. Very well: I will put a primrose ribbon to my cap ! There is no 

 colour so becoming to me. What do you laugh at? 



Mar. I am laughing at myself. We girls are a strange race of beings, 

 truly ; for scarcely are our sorrows well over, than forthwith our minds 

 are occupied about head-dresses and finery. 



Sop. You cannot say that of yourself ; for from the moment Clavigo left 

 you, there was nothing that could afford you the least enjoyment. (Maria 

 drops her work, and agitatedly looks towards the door.) What's the matter ? 



Mar. (Dejectedly.) I thought there was some one coming ! My poor 

 heart! O, it will destroy me yet. Feel how it beats from the mere 

 fright. 



Sop. Pray be calm, love ; you look pale ! 



Mar. (Pressing her side.) I have such an oppression here. It pains me 

 so it will kill me. 



Sop. Spare yourself, love. 



Mar. I am a foolish, unfortunate girl. Pain and pleasure, with their 

 extreme excesses, have undermined my poor life. I confess it is but half 

 pleasure to have him again. I shall but little enjoy the happiness that 

 awaits me in his arms ; perhaps not at all. 



Sop. Sister, my sole love ! You prey upon yourself with such fancies, 



Mar. Why should I delude myself? 



Sop. You are young and happy, and may hope every thing. 



Mar. Hope ! Oh, that sweet, only balsam of life often enchanted my 

 soul. Delicious dreams of youth hover round me, associated with the 



beloved image of the incomparable being who is now mine again! O, 



Sophia, how charming he is ! Since I saw him he has I don't know how 

 to express it all those great talents, which formerly were concealed by 

 his diffidence, have developed themselves. He is become a man; and 

 with those pure ferlings he possesses, which appear so entirelv devoid of 

 M.M. No. 106. 3 M 



