Mary Price; or, The Adventures of a Servant Girl — page 27: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

24. MARY PRICE. yACr 11. BILL. (L. Cc.) In course we will. Leave all to me—I’ll plan the dodge myself. But your honour won't object to give us a trifle to bind the bargain ? Lorp C. (gives money) Take this as an earnest of a liberal reward, should you succeed. Whether you know me person- ally or not, observe I am not to be named in the affair. BILL. Certainly not, your honour—we’re wide awake—a little bit of muslin on the sly—ha, ha, ha! Come along, Nick. This chap, my lord,’s called Nick —old Nick, because as how he ain’t a young ‘un in roguery. Nick. Right, Bill, my boy—I wasn’t born yesterday. Exeunt Nick and BILL, L. Lorp C. What should we do in these dull times, without a httle occasional intrigue—ané this charming girl once in my power, I shall have pastime for six months at least, till some new flame extinguishes the old one. ‘Thus do we sportsmen in the field of love pursue the game of beauty. Now I'll return to the afflicted parents of the lost infant, make a serious face—as long as Lieutenant Aubrey’s, if 1 can—and act the sentimen- talist—a part for which I never was designed by nature in the domestic drama of man’s life. Fixit, RB. Enter LIEUTENANT AUBREY, L., during the above speech. Lieut. A. I scorn to act the listener and the spy; yet cannot shut my ears against the truth. Lord Clavering spoke of a charming girl, whose ruin he now contemplates. Great heavens! can she be Mary Price? He named her not, but my life on it, she is the intended victim. I will watch him with a. vigilant eye, and tear the innocent lamb from the tiger’s fangs. Beware, most noble libertine! Beware and tremble at an honest soldier’s vengeance. Exit, R. ScENE SECOND.—Chamber at Lord Harlesdon’s. LADY HARLESDON discovered, C., on one knee, eagerly embracing her child—LorD HARLESDON on her right hand—MARY, L. C. TomMY, L., stell in gipsy garb—J EMIMA, R. Lapy H. Oh, happiness! my darling treasure restored to me. This moment of overpowering joy more than repays me for the anguish I endured whilst thou wert lost to me. (em- bracing the child) Lorp H. (gently taking the child from her) Control your emotion, dearest, and let the past be as a dream, no more to be remembered. (passes the child over to JEMIMA—LADY Har- LESDON 7vsés) JEMIMA. Oh! bless your pretty little heart! You won’t hang me now, will you, my lord? CORMMICLOOKS. GO