heir dress; I may keep it. (Puts it on.) As if it
had been made for me! (Kneels down again.) A hat! a very pretty one
indeed!--but a feather,--no, God forbid! (Pause.) All but that
feather,--I might wear it without a feather. A new hat, I wonder how
I look in it! (Puts it on, and then steps up to the glass.) Pretty
well;--and the cap under the hat,--that looks like the picture of the
handsome English lady at my brother's. (Returns to the box.) What is
that red stuff? (Takes out a gown.) Rose-Colour! (Astonished, calls out
aloud.) Satin! (The gown drops on the floor?) Satin! God forbid I
should wear satin! That is too gaudy, too glossy, too shewy; it would
draw all the neighbours to their windows. (Takes up the gown.) I hope I
have spoiled nothing. (Hangs it over a chair, kneels down, and
continues to examine the box.)

SCENE VIII.

Enter SOPHIA REISSMAN.

Sophia knocks. Frederica screams, and covers her face with her hands.

_Soph._ (comes in.) Any good people in this house? (Fred. rises and
curtesies, her eyes cast down.) They must be all dead, as no one is to
be found.

_Fred._ I am quite alone in the house, madam.

_Soph._ Do you know me, sweet girl?

_Fred._ You are, Miss--yes--but--

_Soph._ Reissman. The Aulic Counsellor Reissman's daughter.

_Fred._ So; I am glad; I know it well enough; but pray do me the favour
to be seated.

_Soph._ My visit will be but short. I am come to form an acquaintance
with the sister of a gentleman who is not indifferent to me, as you may
know perhaps.

_Fred._ We have been told, that he is to have the honour--

_Soph._ And then I wish to put a question to you, in whose praise I
have heard so much, and for whom I entertain great esteem. I expect you
will answer it candidly.

_Fred._ You do me an honour.

_Soph._ Nothing of that. We are going to be nearer,--nay, very nearly
connected with one another. My happiness is concerned in that question;
and so I had rather hear you say, that the confidence I repose in you
gives you pleasure, if it really does so.

_Fred._ Pardon my surprise. I am not myself in this moment. I am
masqued in a dress that is not suited to my condition in life. My
brother has sent it to me. I mean to return the whole. Now I have told
you so, I am more easy; and I am now ready to answer every question you
may ask with candour.

_Soph._ Well then, I will candidly own, that I love and esteem y