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178

THE ALIENATED MANOR: A COMEDY.

either for the Squire himself, or some of the gentle folks of his family.

MRS. SMOOTHLY.

A clever guess truly; thy wit, I think, must he that way. Give me the letter; I'll take it; I'm going there, at any rate.

ISAAC (giving her the letter).

There it is: I knows you like an errand to that house to see somebody.

SMOOTHLY.

Dost thou think I would go to see nobody, foolish oaf?

ISAAC.

Ha, but a favourite somebody. Ay, ay! I knows what I knows. John, the butler, is a mighty fine man, and goes to church dressed like a squire of a Sunday, and the poor silly tits of the village courtesy as he passes, and call him " Sir." I knows what I knows. [Exit.

SMOOTHLY.

Do they suspect me, then? I'll hide this in my bosom, and nobody else shall know where I am going.

Enter Charville.

CHARVILLE.

What letter is that you are hiding so carefully?

SMOOTHLY.

O lud, Sir!