_Vapid._ Hush!--you d--d dog, you'll ruin the catastrophe.
_Peter._ I don't care--I'll tell him every thing--sir!--Mr Neville!
_Vapid._ You villain!--Do you ever go to a play?--did you ever sit in the gallery?
_Vapid._ Then know this is all for your good----you'll applaud it some day or other, you dog--curse it, won't he have happiness enough bye and bye?---What--you are going abroad, Neville?
_Vapid._ Farewell, Neville--good night----Now for the effect!--Miss Courtney is in the next room.
_Vapid._ Miss Courtney is in the next room.
_Vapid._ There's light and shade!--Yes, your brother brought her here, and she expects him to return every moment.
_Nev._ My brother! then 'tis he means to marry her--nay, perhaps they are already married--Heavens! I shall go wild!
_Vapid._ Don't, don't go wild--that will ruin the denouement.
_Nev._ No matter--I am resolved--I'll bid her farewell for ever--Vapid, 'tis the last favour I shall ask of you--give her this, [_A Letter._] and tell her, since I have resented Willoughby's attack on her honour, I think I may be allowed to vindicate my own; tell her, great as have been my faults, my truth has still been greater, and wherever I wander--
_Vapid._ Here's a flourish, now!--why you misunderstand--she is not married, nor going to be married.
_Nev._ Come, this is no time for raillery.
_Vapid._ Raillery!--why, I'm serious--serious as the fifth act--she is now weeping on your account.
_Nev._ Pr'ythee leave fooling, it will produce no effect, believe me.
_Vapid._ Won't it? it will produce a very great effect though, believe me. Zounds! go to her--preserve the unity of action,--marry her directly, and if the catastrophe does not conclude with spirit, damn my comedy--damn my comedy--that's all, damn my comedy.
_Nev._ 'Would to Heaven you were in earnest!
_Vapid._ Earnest! why there it is now! the women, dear creatures, are always ready enough to produce effect--but the men are so curst undramatic.--Go to her, I tell you, go to her. [_Exit NEVILLE.--VAPID stands aside._
_Lord._ That curst dramatic maniac,--if I see him again----
_Flor._ My dear uncle, consent to Harry's marriage, and depend on it he shall trouble you no more.
_Lord._ I tell you again, sir, I will not.