look out, and bring me word if it is clean
or dirty.

_Rob._ Yes, my lady. [_Exit._

_Lady Car._ This settling a marriage is a strange business!--"What
means this tumult in a vestal's veins?--"

_Shuff._ [_Without._] Bid the groom lead the horse into the avenue,
and I'll come to him.

_Lady Car._ Company in the house?--some Cornish squire, I suppose.
[_Resumes her reading._

_Enter TOM SHUFFLETON, speaking while entering, JOHN
following._

_Lady Car._ [_Still reading, and seated with her Back to
SHUFFLETON._]----"Soon as thy letters, trembling, I unclose----"

_John._ What horse will you have saddled, sir?

_Shuff._ Slyboots. [_Exit JOHN._

_Lady Car._ ----"That well known name awakens all my woes--"

_Shuff._ Lady Caroline Braymore!

_Lady Car._ Mr. Shuffleton! Lard! what can bring you into Cornwall?

_Shuff._ Sympathy:--which has generally brought me near your
ladyship, in London at least, for these three winters.

_Lady Car._ Psha! but seriously?

_Shuff._ I was summoned by friendship. I am consulted on all
essential points, in this family;--and Frank Rochdale is going to be
married.

_Lady Car._ Then, you know to whom?

_Shuff._ No;--not thinking that an essential point, I forgot to ask.
He kneels at the pedestal of a rich shrine, and I didn't inquire
about the statue. But, dear Lady Caroline, what has brought you into
Cornwall?

_Lady Car._ Me? I'm the statue.

_Shuff._ You!

_Lady Car._ Yes; I've walk'd off my pedestal, to be worshipp'd at
the Land's End.

_Shuff._ You to be married to Frank Rochdale! O, Lady Caroline! what
then is to become of _me_?

_Lady Car._ Oh, Mr. Shuffleton! not thinking that an essential
point, I forgot to ask.

_Shuff._ Psha! now you're laughing at me! but upon my soul, I shall
turn traitor; take advantage of the confidence reposed in me, by my
friend, and endeavour to supplant him.

_Lady Car._ What do you think the world would call such duplicity of
conduct?

_Enter ROBERT._

_Rob._ Very dirty, indeed, my lady. [_Exit._

_Shuff._ That infernal footman has been listening!--I'll kick him
round his master's park.

_Lady Car._ 'Tis lucky, then, you are booted; for, you hear, he says
it is very dirty there.

_Shuff._ Was that the meaning of----Pooh!--but, you see, the--the
surprise--the--the agi