ed assured,
Gustaffe's vessel has arrived?

KNICKERBOCKER.

Didn't think fit to break the news too suddenly, but you have it.

ALICE.

"The ship with wide-expanded canvas glides along and soon"--I forget the
remainder of the quotation; but 'tis in the delectable work, "Robinson
Crusoe"--soon will you hear him hail. [_A knock is heard._] My stars
foretell that this is either him--

KNICKERBOCKER.

Or somebody else, as I suppose.

_Enter_ SOPHIA.

SOPHIA.

Oh, sir; Squire Knickerbocker, Herman, son of the late Derric Van Slaus,
is in the hall.

ALICE.

That's not the him whom I expected, at all events.

KNICKERBOCKER.

Son of the individual whom I succeeded as burgomaster? Talk of the
devil--now, I don't know how it is, but I'm always squalmish when in
company of these lawyers that's of his cast. _Qui Tam._

SOPHIA.

He wishes to be introduced. What is your pleasure?

KNICKERBOCKER.

Let him be so, by all means. An honest man needn't fear the devil.
[_Exit_ SOPHIA.

LORRENNA.

Excuse my presence, uncle. To hear him repeat his claims, would but
afflict a heart already agonized: and with your leave, I will withdraw.
[_Exit._

KNICKERBOCKER.

Aye, aye; let me alone to manage him, as a barrister says to his client
when he cross-questions a witness. See Miss Lorrenna to her chamber,
Mrs. Knickerbocker. This Herman is a d----d rogue, as the English have it;
and he'll go to the dominions below, as the devil will have it, and as I
have had it for the last twenty years.

ALICE.

And I tell you, to your comfort, if you don't send the varlet quick off
with a flea in his ear, you shall have it. Yes, Squire Knickerbocker,
you shall have it, be assured. So says Mrs. Knickerbocker, you shall
have it. [_Exit._

KNICKERBOCKER.

Truly, I've had plenty of it from you for the last eighteen years.

_Enter_ HERMAN.

HERMAN.

Sir, I wait upon you once more. The period is now expired when my just
claim, which you have so long protracted, can be vainly disputed. A vain
and idle dispute of justice.

KNICKERBOCKER.

Precious fine, indeed, sir,--but, my ward has a mighty strong reluctance
to part with her fortune, and much more so to make you her partner for
life. You are not exactly to her liking, nor to her in the world's
generally.

HERMAN.

One or the other she is compelled to. You are aware,