an you most avoid.

_Louisa._ Tell me, sir, immediately, how, and by whose appointment, you
came here?

_Willoughby._ By love, madam; the same passion that has prompted me to
pursue you for years, now happily conducts me hither;--I come to lessen
your fears, not to increase them.

_Louisa._ Then, leave me, sir, I can protect myself.

_Willoughby._ No, not till you have heard and pitied me; I have been
long your suitor, and long scorned by you; you have treated me with
indifference, and preferred my inferiors; how I have deserved all this,
yourself can best explain, but, to prove all former cruelties are
forgotten, I here offer you my hand, and, with it, my heart.

_Louisa._ Sir,--this is no time for hearing you on this subject; if you
wish to oblige me, leave me.

_Willoughby._ No, not till I am answered;--years may elapse ere I shall
have another opportunity like the present, therefore no time can be so
well as now.

_Louisa._ Then I command you to leave me,--I will not be threatened into
a compliance.

_Willoughby._ Look ye, Miss Courtney--I would avoid taking advantage of
your situation--nay, start not--but if you persist in your contempt of
me, I know not to what extremities passion may hurry me; I have every
motive for redress, and, if you do not instantly give me your word, to
prefer me to that beggar Neville, I may do that, my cooler sense would
scorn.

_Louisa._ Beggar, sir!

_Willoughby._ Yes; and, were he not beneath my resentment, I'd tell you
more;--but he is too poor--too--

_Louisa._ Hold, sir; did you resemble him, I might esteem, nay, adore
you; but as you are, I loath, I despise, I defy you;--you take advantage
of my situation!--Hear me, sir,--though not a friend is near,--though
night opposes me, and Heaven deserts me, yet can I smile upon your
menaces, and make you tremble, villain as you are.

_Willoughby._ Have a care, madam! another declaration like that, and
I'll delay no longer;--I'll force you to my purpose.

_Louisa._ You dare not, on your life you dare not.

_Willoughby._ Nay, then--I am not to be terrified by threats,--[_Lays
hold of her._] all struggling is in vain; this moment gratifies my
revenge,--away!

_Louisa._ Off,--let me go! Oh, help! help!

[_As he is forcing her out, enter FLORIVILLE, half
drunk._]

_Flor._ "Donne, donne, donne, dow." [_Singing part of an Italian air._]
Oh, this burgundy's a glorious liquor! hey-day! who have we here?

_Louisa._