Page:Dramas 2.pdf/125

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THE STRIPLING.

ACT I.

SCENE I.—Arden's House; Mrs. Arden discovered in a disconsolate posture, with Madaline hanging over her soothingly.

MADALINE.

Be not so overcome, my dear cousin; he has friends who will exert all their interest on his behalf.

MRS. ARDEN.

Ay, ay! thou talkest like a child who believes every one as sincere and affectionate as herself. Who are they who interest themselves for the unfortunate? They who have daily conversed with him, laughed with him, gamed with him? who have daily quaffed wine at his table, and repeated every pleasantry that fell from his lips? (Shaking her head with an expression of bitter contempt.) My husband had many such friends!