Eger.  Rude trifling creature!

Lady Rod.  Come, sir,—­why do you nai begin to ravish me with your valour, your vows, your knight errantry, and your amorous phrenzy.—­Nay, nay, nay! guin you do nai begin at once, the lady of the enchanted castle will vanish in a twinkling.

Eger.  Lady Rodolpha, I know your talent for raillery well;—­but at present, in my case, there is a kind of cruelty in it.

Lady Rod.  Raillery! upon honour, cousin, you mistake me quite and clean.—­I am serious—­very serious;—­ay, and I have cause to be serious;—­ nay, I will submit my case even till yourself. [Whines.] Can any poor lassy be in a more lamentable condition, than to be sent four hundred miles, by the command of a positive grandmother, to marry a man, who I find has no more affection for me,—­than if I had been his wife these seven years.

Eger.  Madam, I am extremely sorry——­

Lady Rod. [Cries and sobs.] But it is vary weel, cousin.—­I see your unkindness and aversion plain enough,—­and, sir, I must tell you fairly, you are the ainly man that ever slighted my person,—­or that drew tears fra these een.—­But—­it is vary weel—­it’s vary weel—­I will return till Scotland to-morrow morning, and let my grandmother know how I have been affronted by your slights, your contempts, and your aversions.

Eger.  If you are serious, madam, your distress gives me a deep concern;—­but affection is not in our power; and when you know that my heart is irrecoverably given to another woman, I think, your understanding and good nature will not only pardon my past coldness and neglect of you,—­but forgive me when I tell you, I never can have that honour which is intended me,—­by a connection with your ladyship.

Lady Rod. [Starting up.] How, sir!—­are you serious?

Eger. [Rises.] Madam, I am too deeply interested, both as a man of honour and a lover, to act otherwise with you on so tender a subject.

Lady Rod.  And so you persist in slighting me?

Eger.  I beg your pardon, madam; but I must be explicit, and at once declare—­that I never can give my hand where I cannot give my heart.

Lady Rod. [In great anger.] Why then, sir, I must tell you, that your declaration is sic an affront as nai woman of spirit can, or ought to bear:—­and here I make a solemn vow, never to pardon it, but on one condition.

Eger.  If that condition be in my power, madam——­

Lady Rod. [Snaps him up.] Sir, it is in your power.

Eger.  Then, madam, you may command me.

Lady Rod. [With a firm peremptory command].  Why then, sir, the condition is this;—­you must here give me your honour,—­that nai importunity,—­command,—­or menace of your father,—­in fine, that nai consideration whatever,—­shall induce you to take me, Rodolpha Lumbercourt, to be your wedded wife.