_Helen._ Indeed! and is it come to this! he shall not see he mortifies me, however--(_aside_) Since you are in this mind, sir, I wish you had been pleased to signify the same by letter, sir--
_Helen._ Yes, sir,--for this personal visit being rather unexpected, does not promise to be particularly pleasant--
_Char._ I believe so, madam--you did not calculate, I fancy, on this _sudden_ return.
_Helen._ No, indeed, sir--and should have shown all Christian patience if this _sudden_ return hadn't happened these _twelve months_.
_Char._ The devil you would! madam!--but I'll be cool--I'll cut her to the heart with a razor of ice--I'll congeal her with indifference--you must know, madam--
_Helen._ Bless me, Charles, how very strangely you look--you're pale and red, and red and pale, in the same moment! why you can scarcely breathe! and now you tremble so! I'm afraid you are very ill.
_Helen._ You move all over like a ship in a storm!
_Char._ Fire and fagots, madam, I _will_ speak!
_Helen._ Do, dear Charles, while your are able--your voice will be gone in a minute or two, and then--
_Helen._ That you will, indeed, and all over the house, too.
_Helen._ I am glad to find there's no affection of the lungs!
_Char._ Death and torments! may I be allowed to speak--yes, or no?
_Helen._ Yes, but gently; and make haste before they call the watch.
_Char._ Madam, madam--I wish to keep my temper--I wish to be cool.
_Helen._ Perhaps this will answer the purpose (_Fanning him_).
_Char._ (_In confusion, after a pause, aside_) Is she laughing at me now, or trying to wheedle me into a good humour? I feel, Miss Worret, that I am expressing myself with too much warmth--I must therefore inform you, that being ordered home with despatches, and having some leisure time on my hands on my return, I thought it but proper as I passed the house to call at your door--just to say--a--a--just civilly to say--false! cruel! perfidious girl! you may break the tough heart of a sailor, but damn me if he will ever own it broke for love of you!
_Helen._ On my honour, sir, I do not understand what all this means.
_Helen._ No, sir--if your purpose here is insult, you might, methinks, have found some fitter object than one who has so limited a power to resent it! [_Going._