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THE STRIPLING: A TRAGEDY.
137


ROBINAIR.

Better be a fiend only, than fiend and fool both. I am a man of more simplicity than thou art; I do not try to have so many contrary qualities at once. Sound no more of that piteous nonsense in my ears!

BRUTON.

Pity, indeed, seems out of use at present. Who could have thought that old man would have prosecuted the life of one who, though distantly related to him, is still his nearest of kin! Some secret enemy has goaded him to it.

ROBINAIR.

And thou art at a loss, I doubt not, to guess who this wicked enemy may be; judging, as thou dost, in all the imbecility of innocence. (Smiling on him with malignant contempt.)

BRUTON (shrinking from him in disgust).

I understand that smile.

ROBINAIR.

Thou hast understanding enough for that, hast thou?—But do not imagine, however, that I am entirely destitute of every good disposition. I intend, when I am in possession of old Fenshaw's fortune, which he has promised to bequeath to me, to be liberal, and even generous, both to Mrs. Arden and her son. When she is