you do nai begin at once, the lady of the enchanted castle
will vanish in a twinkling.

_Eger_. Lady Rodolpha, I know your talent for raillery well;--but at
present, in my case, there is a kind of cruelty in it.

_Lady Rod_. Raillery! upon honour, cousin, you mistake me quite and
clean.--I am serious--very serious;--ay, and I have cause to be serious;--
nay, I will submit my case even till yourself. [_Whines_.] Can any poor
lassy be in a more lamentable condition, than to be sent four hundred
miles, by the command of a positive grandmother, to marry a man, who I
find has no more affection for me,--than if I had been his wife these
seven years.

_Eger_. Madam, I am extremely sorry----

_Lady Rod_. [_Cries and sobs_.] But it is vary weel, cousin.--I see your
unkindness and aversion plain enough,--and, sir, I must tell you fairly,
you are the ainly man that ever slighted my person,--or that drew tears
fra these een.--But--it is vary weel--it's vary weel--I will return till
Scotland to-morrow morning, and let my grandmother know how I have been
affronted by your slights, your contempts, and your aversions.

_Eger_. If you are serious, madam, your distress gives me a deep
concern;--but affection is not in our power; and when you know that my
heart is irrecoverably given to another woman, I think, your understanding
and good nature will not only pardon my past coldness and neglect of
you,--but forgive me when I tell you, I never can have that honour which
is intended me,--by a connection with your ladyship.

_Lady Rod_. [_Starting up_.] How, sir!--are you serious?

_Eger_. [_Rises_.] Madam, I am too deeply interested, both as a man of
honour and a lover, to act otherwise with you on so tender a subject.

_Lady Rod_. And so you persist in slighting me?

_Eger_. I beg your pardon, madam; but I must be explicit, and at once
declare--that I never can give my hand where I cannot give my heart.

_Lady Rod_. [_In great anger_.] Why then, sir, I must tell you, that your
declaration is sic an affront as nai woman of spirit can, or ought to
bear:--and here I make a solemn vow, never to pardon it, but on one
condition.

_Eger_. If that condition be in my power, madam----

_Lady Rod_. [_Snaps him up_.] Sir, it is in your power.

_Eger_. Then, madam, you may command me.

_Lady Rod_. [_With a firm peremptory command_]. Why then, sir, the
condition is this;--you must here give me your honour,--that nai
importunity,--command,