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MISS FRANKLAND.

Indeed it does; and it will be charitable in you all to sit with him as long as you can.

[Exeunt Sir John, Clermont, and Blount.

MISS FRANKLAND (alone, after a thoughtful pause).

That he should be so taken in!—But is he so?—In some degree, I fear.—Perhaps it is only to vex me. (Walking up and down with a hurried step.) No, no! he is taken in.—Is he a vain, conceited man, and have I never discovered it till now?— It cannot be: he has read me many compositions of his friends; one of his own, scarcely ever.—Oh, oh! I wish there was not such a thing as a sonnet in the world!

Enter Barbara.

BARBARA.

The jelly is ready, Madam, that you mean to carry to the sick boy; and the carriage is waiting.

MISS FRANKLAND.

I thank you, Barbara, for reminding me. Fetch my scarf and we'll go.

BARBARA.

You're very right, Ma'am, to look after him, for he's a poor peeping chit; and Lady Worrymore, his landlady tells me, will be the death of him.[Exeunt.