The Heiress (Burgoyne, 1786)/Act 4, Scene 3

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It will not do. My eyes may run over a thou­sand subjects, but my thoughts centre in one. Ah! that sigh! that sigh from the fair sufferer this morning—I have found it echo in my own heart ever since.

Servant.Madam, Mr. Blandish.

Lady Emily.Pooh! did you say I was at home?

Servant.Your Ladyship gave no orders to the contrary.

Lady Emily.Shew him in. [Exit Servant.] I must take up my air of levity again—It is the ​only humour for a fellow who I sometimes allow to entertain me, but who never can get my esteem. I have more calls upon my affectation this un­lucky day, than my real disposition would exe­cute in a long life.

Lady Emily.Blandish, I am horridly peevish; have you any thing diverting in news or flattery?

Blandish.In the latter, Madam, nothing. My admiration has all the dullness of truth: but shew me what you think a flaw, and I'll try without flattery to convince you it is a beauty.

Lady Emily.Tolerably express'd—but the idea of a faultless woman is false in point of enco­mium, she wou'd be respectable, aweful, and un­attracting. Odd as it may seem, a woman, to charm, requires a little dash of harmless imper­fection. I know I've a thousand amiable faults that I wou'd not part with for the world. So try again: Something more new and refined.

Blandish.Examine my heart, Lady Emily, and you will find both: The novelty of disinterested passion, and refinement acquired by the study of you.

Lady Emily.Rather better: but that does not please me much; the less, perhaps, as it is rather out of your way, and more in that of my friend your sister, who, I observe, always put a compli­ment in full view—Yours generally come more forcibly, by affording us the pleasure of finding them out—It is the excellency of a brilliant to play in the dark.

Blandish.Allow yourself to be the brilliant and attend to another allusion. With trembling am​­bition, I confess, that not content with admiring the jewel, I would wear it.

Lady Emily.Wear it?

Blandish.As an appendage to my heart—Con­scious of it's value, proud of its display, and de­voted to its preservation.

Lady Emily.Riddles, Mr. Blandish—but so let them remain—I assure you this hour is very in­auspicious for explanation.

Blandish.I fear so. For in an hour, when Clifford proves treacherous, who can escape sus­picion.

Lady Emily.Clifford? for what purpose is he in­troduced in this conversation?

Blandish.You ask'd me for intelligence, the latest is, that Clifford has been detected in a clandestine intercourse with the object of Lord Gayville's secret passion; that he has betray'd the confidence of his friend and patron, and actually carried her off. (aside) Which Gayville knows by this time with all its aggravations, or Prompt has not been as active as he us'd to be.

Lady Emily (with emotion.)Blandish, this is a poor project. Clifford treacherous to his friend! You might as soon make me believe Gayville dispassionate, my uncle charitable, or you in­genuous.

Blandish.His conduct does not rest upon opi­nion, but proof; and when you know it you must think of him with aversion.

Lady Emily.Must I? Then don't let me hear a word more—I have aversions enough already—(peevishly.)

Blandish.It is impossible you can apply that word to one whose only offence is to adore you. (kisses her hand.)

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Clifford (aside surprized.)Blandish so favour'd?

Lady Emily (aside.) Perverse accident: what mistakes now will he make!

Blandish (aside.)The enemy has surprized me—but the only remedy in such emergencies, is to shew a good countenance.

Clifford.I fear I have been guilty of an unpar­donable intrusion.

Blandish.Mr. Clifford never can intrude, but though you had not come so apropos yourself—Lady Emily will bear testimony, I have not spared my pains to remove any prejudices she might have entertained.

Lady Emily.Had you not better repeat in your own words, Mr. Blandish, all the obliging things you have said of this gentleman?

Clifford.It is not necessary, Madam—If without robbing you of moments that I perceive are pre­cious———

Lady Emily.Sir!

Clifford.I might obtain a short audience, (look­ing at Blandish.)

Blandish (aside.)He's devilish impudent—but he cannot soon get over facts, and I'll take care the conference shall not be long. (To Lady Emily) —Lady Emily; hear Mr. Clifford, and judge if I have misrepresented him—(to Clifford) When you want a friend you know where to find him. [Exit.

Lady Emily.This is an interview, Mr. Clif­ford, that I desire not to be understood to have authorised. It is not to me, you are accountable for your actions—I have no personal interest in them.

​Clifford.I know it too well.

Lady Emily (peevishly.)Do not run away with the notion neither, that I am therefore interested in any other person's—You have among you, vex'd, and disconcerted me, but there is not a grain of partiality in all my embarrassment—if you have any eyes you may see there is not.

Clifford.Happy Blandish, your triumph is evi­dent.

Lady Emily.Blandish, the odious creature—He is my abhorrence—You are hardly worse yourself in my bad opinion, tho' you have done so much more to deserve it.

Clifford.How cruel are the circumstances that compel me to leave you under these impressions—nay more—at such a time to urge a request, that during your most favourable thoughts of me wou'd have appear'd strange if not presumptu­ous. This is the key of my apartment. It con­tains a secret that the exigency of the hour ob­lig'd me, against inclination or propriety, to lodge there. Should Sir Clement return before me, I implore you to prevent his discovery, and give to what you find within, your confidence and protection. Lord Gayville—but I shall go too far—the most anxious event of my life presses on me. I conjure you to comply, by all the com­passion and tenderness nature has treasured in your heart—not for me—but for occasions worthy their display. (Gives the key, which she receives with some reluctance,) and Exit.

Lady Emily.Heigho!—Its well, he's gone without insisting on my answer: I was in a sad flutter of indecision. What mysterious means he takes to engage me in a confidence which I could not directly accept!—I am to find a letter, I ​suppose—the story of his heart—Its errors and defence—My brother's name, also—to furnish me with a new interest in the secret, and one I might avow—One may dislike this art, but must be sensible of his delicacy.—Ah, when those two qualities unite in a man, I am afraid he is an over-match for the wisest of us—Hark!—sure that is the sound of my Uncle's coach—(looks out of the window.) 'Tis he—and now for the secret—Curiosity!—Curiosity! innate irre­sistible principle in womankind, be my excuse, before I dare question my mind upon other mo­tives. [Exit.