Mr. Bruton! I expected, Sir, to have seen your friend.
BRUTON.
Unavoidable business, Madam, prevents Mr. Robinair from waiting upon you: he cannot possibly come to this part of the town to-day; but he will be happy to have the honour of receiving you, at his own house, any hour in the forenoon which you may be pleased to appoint.
MRS. ARDEN.
He says so? (A pause.) I ought not to be surprised at this message.—I shall wait upon him at half-past twelve. Perhaps I shall find more generosity in his nature than this message, or the misgivings of my own heart, seem to promise. (Looking earnestly atBruton.) You are silent, Mr. Bruton: you make no rash promises for your friend.
BRUTON.
I hope. Madam, you will not be disappointed in any good opinion you may form of him. I hope he will make every exertion in favour of Mr. Arden; but, in cases of this nature, all applications to royal benevolence, unless under very peculiar circumstances, have proved unsuccessful.
