a great officer:--this is as guid a manoeuvre to bring on a rapid
engagement as the ablest general of them aw could have started.

_Lord Lum_. Ay, ay! leave them together; they'll soon come to a right
understanding, I warrant you, or the needle and loadstone have lost their
sympathy. [_Exit Lord_ Lum. _and Sir_ Per.

[_Lady_ Rodolpha _stands at that side of the Stage, where they went off,
in amazement:_ Egerton _is at the opposite side, who, after some anxious
emotion, settles into a deep reflection:--this part of the scene must be
managed by a nice whispering tone of self-conversation mutually observed
by the Lovers._]

_Lady Rod_. [_Aside._] Why, this is downright tyranny! it has quite dampt
my spirits; and my betrothed, yonder, seems planet-struck too, I think.

_Eger_. [_Aside._] A whimsical situation, mine!

_Lady Rod_. [_Aside._] Ha, ha, ha! methinks we look like a couple of
cautious generals, that are obliged to take the field, but neither of us
seems willing to come till action.

_Eger_. [_Aside._] I protest, I know not how to address her.

_Lady Rod_. [_Aside._] He will nai advance, I see: what am I to do in this
affair? guid traith, I will even do, as I suppose many brave heroes have
done before me,--clap a guid face upon the matter, and so conceal an
aching heart under a swaggering countenance.
[_As she advances, she points at him, and smothers a laugh; but when she
speaks to him, the tone must be_ loud, _and rude on the word_ Sir.]
_Sir_, as we have,--by the commands of our guid fathers, a business of
some little consequence to transact,--I hope you will excuse my taking the
liberty of recommending a chair till you, for the repose of your body--in
the embarrassed deliberation of your perturbed spirits.

_Eger_. [_Greatly embarrassed._] Madam, I beg your pardon. [_Hands her a
chair, then one for himself._] Please to sit, madam. [_They sit down with
great ceremony: she sits down first. He sits at a distance from her. They
are silent for some time. He coughs, hems, and adjusts himself. She
mimicks him._]

_Lady Rod_. [_Aside._] Aha! he's resolved not to come too near till me, I
think.

_Eger_. [_Aside._] A pleasant interview, this--hem, hem!

_Lady Rod_. [_Aside, mimicks him to herself._] Hem! he will not open the
congress, I see.--Then I will.--[_very loud._] _Come, sir_, when will you
begin?

_Eger_. [_Greatly surprised._] Begin! what, madam?

_Lady Rod_. To make love till me.

_Eger_. Lov