times more bewitching charms, for the absence of that we do not. Dear Madam, only observe him. Con. Who can resist that amiable figure, dearest Jeffrey? Doc. [Aside.] This is as bad as the other. Lis. Is it possible you can love Jeffrey? No, no, your situation forbids it; take, take my master; I resign him to [Puts him over, L. C. you. Con. No, I resign him to you. Lis. I will not have him. Doc. This is a very disagreeable situation. Lis. Jeffrey, will you be deaf to my passion? Jef. No, I won't: I have been in love with her this twelve months, and I'll make choice of her. Con. Then what will become of me? Doc. I can bear this no longer; give me that. [Snatches the wand.] And do you make up some medicines. Jef. Ah! my dear Lisette! you have made me so happy, I must shake hands. [Offers to take her hand; she slaps his face.] Lis. Learn to behave with more reserve for the future. Jef. Ecod! I think you have not behaved with much reserve; did you not hang upon me, and said you loved me? Lis. Love you! Behold my master, and do not imagine I can love any but him. Con. No; who can love any but him? Doc. This is worse and worse-where is the Doctor? If he does not come and give me some relief, I am a ruined man. [A loud knocking, L.] Jeffrey, see if that is him. [Exit Jeffrey, L.] I have no doubt but it is, and with him the young patient, on whom I am to prove my skill. Constance, and you Lisette, leave the room for the present. Con. Yes, if you will go with ine; but how do you think it is possible for me to leave you?—a feeling which I cannot explain Lis. And one I cannot explain Doc. But I am going to prescribe-and it is improper. Enter LA FLEUR, L. leading the MARQUIS, dressed in a handsome robe de chambre and night cap; the DOCTOR and JEFFREY draw the chair for him, c. La Fleur. This, Doctor, is your patient.-This is the renowned physician, from whom you are to expect a cure. Doc. (R. c.) He looks surprisingly well, considering now much he has suffered. La Fleur. That renders his case the more dangerous.I would rather a patient of mine should look ill, and be in no danger, than look well, and be in imminent danger. Mar. (c.) To conceive the sufferings I have undergone, a being must be transformed; he must be more, before he can conceive what I have felt-for months have I led this agonizing life !-But I am told, Doctor, you can put an end to my disorder-you have, in your possession, that which can give me ease;-but by what science you are master of so great a power, I own, is beyond my comprehension. La Fleur. [L. of Marquis.] Dear sir, you know not all the resources in the art of medicine; trust firmly, that you are in the hands of persons well informed and well practised we know how to give nature a fillip. Doc. Doctor Mystery, do you use your authority with these females, to leave us to ourselves. Con. (R.) I can't go. Lis. (R.) Nor I. La Fleur. I believe it is very true. [Goes and feels their pulses.] No, they can't go-no-the force of the attraction will not suffer them to go. [To the Doctor.] What do you think of the power of magnetism now? Doc. It has double the power 1 desire, and I wish it not to act on Lisette. Con. [To Lis.] I hope the Marquis is not really ill. La Fleur. [Comes forward with the Doctor.] I will remedy that. [Whispers the Doctor, while the Marquis makes signs of love to Constance; she gets nearer to his chair.] Now attend to what I am going to do; I will turn the whole affection of the maid upon myself. . Doc. I will be very much obliged to you. [La Fleur whispers the Doctor again.] Mar. [In a low voice to Constance.] Que word only→ will you be mine, should my scheme prove successful? Con. What is it? Mar. I have no time to say; but answer me, will you be mine? Con. I will. Doc. [L. c. In a low voice to La Fleur.] Very well, extremely well this will do very well, and now deliver me from her love as soon as you can. La Fleur. (L.) I must approach her, and 'tis done. [Goes to Lisette, makes signs of magnetism; then, in a whisper,] I am in love with you; feign to be so with me. Lis. I am in earnest, without feigning, La Fleur. (R. c.) So much the better; it will appear more natural. [Returns to the Doctor.] It's done; observe how she looks at me. [During this, the Marquis and Constance are exchanging sighs.] Doc. (L.) What an art! La Fleur. (L.) But I will shew its power in a manner yet more astonishing. Con. [To the Marquis, in a low voice] I was on the point of being married to my guardian. Doc. Is it possible? Mar. [Forgetting himself, and in warmth.] Distraction! that must never be. [Doctor turns to him in surprise; Lisette perceiving him.] Lis. Oh, heavens! look to the patient. La Fleur. One of his fits has seized him, [Marquis pretends a fit.] but it's nothing, it will soon be over. Mar. Nay, do not hide yourself; oh! oh! that I could plunge this steel [Holds up his handkerchief.] a hundred times in that detestable heart; come on, monster, and acknowledge thy conqueror, expiring under this hand. Doc. I'll go into the next room; it is me, I believe, he is going to kill. [Going over to R. of Marquis. La Fleur. (L.) But he has no weapon; don't be afraid. Con. [To La Fleur.] Oh, dear sir, relieve him from this terrible fit. Doc. Do; I beg, you will. La Fleur. I cannot wholly relieve him at present; but you shall see me change the manner of his raving: behold my power. [Pretends to magnetise.] See, his countenance changes; his looks express tenderness-now it is no longer fury that transports him; but the soft languor of love now pervades his senses. Mar. [Looking at Constance, who is R. c.] Oh! charming Arpasia. La Fleur. Arpasia was the name of his first love; he fancies himself near to her. [Marquis rises from his chair, and kneels to Constance.] Mar. Is it you, then, whom I behold; but, alas! you do not suspect what I have suffered in your absence; and I ouly retain my life, in the pleasing hope of one day passing it with you, and rendering yours as happy as my own; what am I to think of this silence? You do not answer to my tender complaints. Ah! you hate me, you despise me; -but dread the effects of this contempt; I feel it is in my power to accomplish all. [Rising. Lis. He is going into his raving fit again; pray, madam, speak to him, if it is but a word. Mar. Speak to me one word, if it is only one word. La Fleur. Your ward is afraid of disobliging you; but give her leave to speak to him, if it is but one word, only to be witness to a scene so nouvelle. Doc. But, harkye. La Fleur. Pshaw ! pshaw ! She looks at you for consent : tell her, she may say yes-just yes. Doc. But why suffer her to speak ? La Fleur. Consider you are in possession of the magnet, and nothing can prevent the power of that charm. Mar. Ah! cruel; ought I thus to wait for a word from those lips? you wish then to behold me die ? Doc. Well, well, answer him, yes. Mar. Do you love me? Con. Yes. Mar. [Kisses her hand.] I am transported! Doc. [Endeavouring to separate them.] Hold! hold! This is a fit as powerful to me as it is to you. Lis. Dear sir, let him alone; he may fall into his rage again. Mar. What thrilling transport rushes to my heart ; all nature appears to my ravished eyes more beautiful than poets ever formed! Aurora dawns-the feathered songsters chaunt their most melodious strains-the gentle zephyrs breathe their choicest perfumes, and the inspiring scene intoxicates my very soul. Doc. Come, change this fit into another. Mar. And you, who listen to me, partake my joy; come and dwell with me under the shady branches of the riverside; come, lovely shepherdess; [Takes hold of Constance.] come, young shepherd; [Takes hold of the Doctor.] mingle in the dance. Lis. Come, young shepherd, [Takes hold of the Doctor with one hand, and La Fleur with the other.] Doc. I can't dance. Mar. In vain you refuse; pass with gentle steps the mossy banks; and join in the rural pastime. [Takes their hands and dances them round the stage, the Doctor awkward and unwillingly.] [All exeunt, R. END OF ACT II. ACT III. SCENE I.-The Doctor's House.-Couch, with pillow and counterpane.-Table, with pen, ink, and paper on R.;— Table on L., with decanter of water; glass, powder-puff, &c., on it. Enter LISETTE and LA FLEUR, R. Lis. But when is this farce to end? La Fleur. (R.) My master, now he is introduced, will take advantage of some circumstances, to obtain, either by force or stratagem, the Doctor's consent to his wishes; and as he finds he is beloved by the young lady, which before he was in doubt of Lis. (L.) Pshaw! he might easily have guessed her sentiments. A young woman, weary of confinement as she was, is easily in love with the first young man who solicits her affections. La Fleur. And may I hope you love me? Lis. Aye, sir, I am weary of confinement, like my mis tress. La Fleur. A thousand thanks, my dear Lisette. Lis. But while Jeffrey keeps the keys of every door, no creature can either go out, or enter, without his leave. La Fleur. And is there no way to get rid of him? Lis. Yes; a thought strikes me this moment: a couple of days ago, one of our neighbours' dogs bit him, and our Doctor, merely to show his skill in the cure, persuaded him the dog was mad: suppose we make the Doctor himself believe he was really so, and that poor Enter DOCTOR, R. with the wand. Doc. He has had another fit; but I have just now left him in a sound sleep, which came upon him as suddenly as any of his waking paroxysms. La Fleur. If that is the case, he must be left alone; we will not disturb him. Lis. [Aside to La Fleur.] When I return, be sure to confirm whatever I shall say. [Exit, L. H. Doc. What! have you persuaded her to leave you? Doc. Why, too much of love is something tedious. I с |