ACT III.
SCENE I. Mrs. Baltimore's dressing-room. She is discovered sitting by a table, looking over papers.
Mrs. Baltimore.
Well, I have the satisfaction to find that my personal expences, for this last year, have been very moderate; but I am resolved they shall be still more contracted. Though ruin, I fear, cannot be averted, yet, when it does come, I can lift up my unblushing head, and say "this is no work of mine." No foolish debts of my contracting, Baltimore, shall add to the number of those claims that already so gallingiy press upon your proud and irritable mind; and which, perhaps, will, in the end, drive you from the long and fondly retained habitation of your forefathers. (leans pensively upon her arm for some time, then continues to look over more papers.)
Enter Charles, with a slow sauntering step.
Char. Let me see what o'clock it is now. What says my watch to it now? (looking at his watch) Pest take it! it is but ten minutes since I look'd last; and I could have sworn it was as good three quarters, or, at least, half an hour, as ever clock tick'd, or ever sand-glass ran. (yawning and stretching himself.) Ah! I find it has been but half an hour of a
