--carte
blanche. Good, good, excellent!

_Aram._ Carte blanche?

_Marq._ Without restriction.

SCENE X.--_Enter the_ Chevalier.

_Chev._ My father sent for me.

_Marq._ You see, Madame! only son--good youth.

_Aram._ I know it, and know his merit.

_Chev._ Ah, Madame!--[_To the_ Marquis.] Did you, sir, know the
kindness, the liberality, with which this lady overwhelmed me, how you
would be surprised!

_Marq._ All is concluded? Eleonora--thine? [_Overjoyed._]

_Aram._ Not too fast, Signor Marquis; I have told you how tenderly I
love her, and that I will not risk either her happiness or her fortune.

_Marq._ But--speak, boy--our affairs--Good, good, excellent! Speak the
truth; this lady may--as for me--here I am--my heart, my hand, carte
blanche.

_Chev._ To which, dear father, I willingly subscribe. I leave everything
to your discretion. [_Flying to the side scene._] Approach, dear
Eleonora; conquer your fears; join your prayers to ours, and move the
heart of a mother, who doubts only through delicacy.

_Enter_ Eleonora _and_ Dorimene, _who remains in the background_.

_Eleon._ [_Falling at her mother's feet._] Oh, my mother! you know my
heart, and how religiously I have always obeyed your commands. You would
unite me to a man whom I can never love; virtuous affection has taken
possession of my soul. I ought to have told you, but fear and respect
forbade me; yet my feelings, however ardent, I was determined should be
sacrificed to obedience to that affection which I have ever felt for
you, and that tender attachment in which I have been educated. Ah, do
not force me to a marriage I detest! and which will render me the most
disconsolate and wretched woman on earth.

_Aram._ [_Aside._] Poor child! Did she know my heart!

_Marq._ [_Wiping his eyes._] Now--if--Good, good, excellent!

_Aram._ Be it so on one condition. The carte blanche--

_Marq._ [_Presenting his hand._] Sign it--pray accept--

_Aram._ Your hand?

_Eleon._ My dear mother, your superintending prudence and goodness will
secure our felicity.

_Chev._ Oh yes. Your orders shall be respected; your example the rule
for our conduct; your advice our guide.

_Aram._ [_Aside._] My child! my child!

_Marq._ [_Still tenderly presenting his hand._] Madame!

_Aram._ [_Cheerfully._] Signor Marquis--I am yours.

_Marq._ And I--Good, good, excellent!

_Dor._ [_Coming forward._] Permit me, ladies and gentlemen, to say I
have thus far been sil