Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 1.pdf/293

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THE TRYAL: A COMEDY.
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recovers.) O! he recovers! Harwood! do you know me, Harwood?

Har. (Looking upon Agnes, and shrinking back from her.) Ha! what has brought you here? leave me! leave me! I am wretched enough already.

Ag. I come to bring you relief, my dear Harwood.

Har. No, madam, it is misery you bring. We must part for ever.

Ag. O! uncle! do you hear that? He says we must part for ever.

With. (Taking hold of Agnes.) Dont be in such a hurry about it.

Har. (Rising up.) How came you here? (to Withrington.) and these ladies?

Roys. O! it was all my contrivance.

With. Pray now, Royston, be quiet a little—Mr. Harwood, I will speak to you seriously. I see you are attached to my niece, and I confess she has many faults; but you are a man of sense, and with you she will make a more respectable figure in the world than with any other. I am anxious for her welfare, and if you will marry her I will give her such a fortune as will make it no longer an imprudent step to follow your inclinations.

Har. No, sir, you shall keep your fortune and your too bewitching niece together. For her sake I would have renounced all ambition, I would have shared with her poverty and neglect, I would have borne with all her faults and weaknesses of