_Aram._ [_Kindly taking her hand._] I know you, Madame.

_Chev._ I am sorry, ladies, if my presence--

_Aram._ [_Softly to_ Dorimene.] Be so kind as to follow my daughter.
Poor child! I vex her sometimes, but I love her dearly! Try to console
her.

_Dor._ Most willingly, madam. [_Exit._

SCENE XII.--Araminta _and the_ Chevalier.

_Chev._ I did not think, Signora, that my conduct--

_Aram._ Let us speak plainly, Signor. What are your pretensions to my
daughter?

_Chev._ Oh, could I but hope to merit her hand--

_Aram._ Nothing could be desired better than you: your birth, character,
and conduct are all in your favour: and I should think it an honour to
call you my son. Permit me only to say that the affairs of your
family--

_Chev._ I own it. My father is the best of men, but has been greatly
misled.

_Aram._ Then, being sensible of this truth, you, better than any person,
should be aware of the confusion and distress which might be brought on
a young woman, of a good family, and with no contemptible fortune. Would
you willingly expose this fortune to the evident danger of being ill
managed, and soon dissipated?

_Chev._ Hear me but a moment; I will speak frankly. I have spent some
years in the army, which I have been obliged to quit, because I could
not properly support my birth and military rank. Returning home, I have
lived privately, without complaint, and concealing my situation. A
family friend, interesting himself in my behalf, suggested that a proper
marriage might enable me to appear again at my post, and thus excited me
to mix with the world, and declare my purpose. I heard of you, Madame,
of your daughter's merit, and of the fortune which she was to have. I
saw her, and was so enraptured by her charms and mental qualities, that
every interested motive instantly ceased, and love alone took possession
of my heart. I then, indeed, wished I were rich, and deeply felt the
distress of my family. My friends saw my distress, pitied me, would not
forsake me, spoke of your goodness, and encouraged me respectfully to
declare myself and my hopes. I listened to their advice, or rather to
love; and hoped that gratitude and respect would, some time, acquire for
me a daughter's love, and a kind mother's consent.

_Aram._ I approve your candour; yet, do not hope I can give you my
daughter, though I am greatly affected by your situation, and disposed
to favour you, as far as prudence will permit.

_C