Arch. If this be impudence—[Kneels.] I leave to your partial self; no panting pilgrim, after a tedious, painful voyage, e’er bowed before his saint with more devotion.

Mrs. Sul. [aside]. Now, now, I’m ruined if he kneels!—[Aloud.] Rise, thou prostrate engineer, not all thy undermining skill shall reach my heart.—Rise, and know I am a woman without my sex; I can love to all the tenderness of wishes, sighs, and tears—but go no farther.—Still, to convince you that I’m more than woman, I can speak my frailty, confess my weakness even for you, but—

Arch. For me!

[Going to lay hold on her.

Mrs. Sul. Hold, sir! build not upon that; for my most mortal hatred follows if you disobey what I command you now.—Leave me this minute.—[Aside.] If he denies I’m lost.

Arch. Then you’ll promise—

Mrs. Sul. Anything another time.

Arch. When shall I come?

Mrs. Sul. To-morrow—when you will.

Arch. Your lips must seal the promise.

Mrs. Sul. Psha!

Arch. They must! they must!—[Kisses her.] Raptures and paradise!—And why not now, my angel? the time, the place, silence, and secrecy, all conspire. And the now conscious stars have preordained this moment for my happiness.

[Takes her in his arms.

Mrs. Sul. You will not! cannot, sure!

Arch. If the sun rides fast, and disappoints not mortals of to-morrow’s dawn, this night shall crown my joys.

Mrs. Sul. My sex’s pride assist me!

Arch. My sex’s strength help me!

Mrs. Sul. You shall kill me first!

Arch. I’ll die with you.

[Carrying her off.

Mrs. Sul. Thieves! thieves! murder!

Enter Scrub in his breeches, and one shoe.

Scrub. Thieves! thieves! murder! popery!

Arch. Ha! the very timorous stag will kill in rutting time.

[Draws, and offers to stab Scrub.