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384
ENTHUSIASM: A COMEDY.

friend; you must read it with emphasis and all appropriate action.

BLOUNT.

Neither emphasis nor action shall be spared, depend upon it; but as to doing it justice, you know that is impossible.

LORD WORRYMORE.

O! you are too flattering—too partial.

BLOUNT.

But are you sure, my Lord, that Lady Worrymore has never heard any part of this speech before?—no morsel of it, dropping from your lips unguardedly?

LORD WORRYMORE.

No: I have been too much offended with her of late to repeat to her one word of it. She does not even know that I have prepared a speech on the subject.

BLOUNT.

A fortunate forbearance!

LORD WORRYMORE.

And I reckoned, too, that her surprise would be the greater after its success in the House; as no doubt it would, had the measure been brought forward at the time that was appointed for it.

BLOUNT.

Then all is safe.—There is a gentle knock at