;
particularly just at the time she did, as it will spoil all our gayety
for the winter. No more plays, and balls, and parties this season.
People ought always to die in the summer. But you know, dear Juliet, I
have not seen my aunt Medford for ten years, and I really have forgotten
all about her. So, how can you expect me to be inconsolable? And I
cannot endure the thought of being disappointed in going to the theatre.
I might as well go, as stay at home and think about it all the evening.

_Juliet._ O no, indeed! Even if you have no personal regard for your
aunt, respect for your father's feelings and a proper regard for
decorum, ought to subdue your desire of going at this time to a place of
public amusement.

_Madeline._ That is exactly such a speech as Cecilia Selden would make
on a similar occasion. It is a pity "the truly wise man" is not here.
How Neddy would applaud.

_Juliet._ But where is the use of talking in this manner. You know you
_cannot_ go to the theatre.

_Madeline._ I know I _can_.

_Juliet._ How? In what way? I do not understand you.

_Madeline._ My going to the theatre to-night depends principally on
_you_.

_Juliet._ On me!

_Madeline._ Yes, for I will not venture alone, and you must go with me.

_Juliet._ Go with you--_I_ go with you!

_Madeline._ Yes.

_Juliet._ And who else?

_Madeline._ Nobody else. Now don't look as if you were ready to run
through the wall to get away from me; but listen and understand. Our
nursery-maid, Kitty, has permission to go this evening and stay all
night with a sick sister. So when she is off, I can easily slip into
her room and select a suit of her clothes, (which I believe will nearly
fit me,) and she has a tolerably large wardrobe for a servant. Then I
will steal in the back way, bringing a suit for you. Don't look shocked.
I shall tell my father and mother that being very low-spirited, I am
coming in here to spend a quiet evening with you. I heard Mrs.
Lansdowne, when I was here yesterday, propose to your father to leave
her at her sister, Mrs. Wilmar's, on his way to the Wistar party
to-night, and call for her as he comes back; which of course will not be
before ten o'clock at the very earliest. Therefore the coast will be
clear, as I suppose Ned will go to his beloved Athenaeum. So you see
every thing seems to conspire fortunately to forward our plot.

_Juliet._ _Our_ plot. O! do not call it _ours_. I never will have any
thing to do with a p