Gen. No forgiveness-don't hope for it-there kneel, and play the air I mentioned. Stir not for your life, nor utter a word. Obey. [Flora, with the most melancholy countenance, and half Nic. [Seeing the Marquis on the wall.] There he is. [They each strive to go first; Nicholas succeeds, and Mar. S'death, I am watched. [Julia, at the same time, comes out of the window, and places herself by the wall-Nicholas immediately secures her, and brings her down the stage---she, overcome with grief, covers her face with her cloak.] Nic. Here he is, sir; we have taken him. Now, Marquis, what would you say if I was to shat you up in a dark room? Amb. Presenting his gun.] No resistance, or you are a dead man. Nic. Here he is, sir; we have taken him. Flo. It is Nicholas has discovered all. [Aside-throws herself on one of the garden chairs. Gen. [To Julia.] Your humble servant, my good lord. Why do you hide your face? Do you think we don't know you? Go, go, my lads, conduct his lordship safe to his hotel, and stand centinel at his door till the clock strikes twelve —and then return back in triumph; make haste home with him before the clock strikes-Away, away. [Exit Julia, led by Nicholas and Ambrose, R.] And so end my cares. [With great joy.] Poor fellow! suffered himself to be taken away too without speaking a word; caught in his own snare; sure a man never looks so ridiculous as wher he is caught in his own snare. [To Flora.] And you, you perfidious-what have you to say? you who received my purse? Flo. But I told you I did not deserve it. Gen. Oh, yes; I don't know whether you did not deserve it; for you have taken a great deal of trouble to-day, and to very little purpose-Ha! ha! ha!—I believe the Marquis will have enough to do to pay his wager, without paying you any thing, and so you see I have done it for him-and now I'll step and wish my niece joy of the success of her project. [Exit to the Pavilion, R. U. E. Flo. Oh, how I grudge your joy; but while he goes up the stairs, I'll see if my lady cannot come out of the win dow. [She goes to the window of the pavilion.] Madam, madam, Julia. Mar. [From the hedge.] Flora, Flora. Flo. Is it you, madam? Mar. [Coming forward.] No, 'tis I. Flo. You! who have they taken away then? Mar. Your mistress. Flo. [Expressing the most extreme joy.] My mistress! She! Madam Julia? Oh, do-do not tell me so-I can't bear it-I shall die with joy. [Running to the door of the Pavilion.] Sir-Sir-General-General-Sir Mar. Peace, be quiet; let me escape first. Flo. That's right-away, away before the clock strikes. [Exit Marquis, R.] Thank heaven, he has only across the street to go. The General laughed at me-now, how I long to laugh at him. Sir, come down instantly, and take your share of the joke. Enter GENERAL, from the Pavilion, R. U. E. with the bolster in his hand, dressed, with a cap on. Gen. I found this in bed, instead of my niece-where, where can she be? Flo. She has not even been in bed. Gen. Where is she then? Flo. Gone to the Marquis. Gen. My niece Flo. Gone to his hotel- conducted by your own servants, and by your own command. Enter NICHOLAS, running, R. Nic. We have led him home-the clock has struck twelve; and now return in triumph, as you ordered. [Seeing the Marquis and Julia without.] O, heaven! do I see double? Flo. No, but you have lost your wits. Gen. It was not my niece they took, surely? Enter the MARQUIS, JULIA, AMBROSE, SEBASTIAN, and several Domestics of the Marquis's, with lights, R. Jul. Pardon me, my dear uncle, but it was your niece. Flo. Pray, sir, return Nicholas thanks for all this; for 'tis he that has brought it about. Nic. How came I not to find out the disguise? That other people should be deceived, I am not surprised at; but that I should be imposed upon is astonishing. Flo. Henceforth learn, Mr. Nicholas, that when you. meanly become a listener, you ought to hear every syllable that is said, otherwise you are exposed to blunders. Mar. [To the General.] Uncle, will you permit me now to call you by that name? Gen. "A man never looks so ridiculous, as when he is caught in his own snare." Yes, my lord, stand upon no ceremony. And was old Cecily faithful? Jul. She was, uncle; and you must recompense her for the injustice you have done her, merely for her fidelity. Mar. I will repay every servant, who either by their genius have aided, or by their fidelity obstructed, my designs; for, possessed of such a blessing as my Julia, I shall ever remember with gratitude the adventures of this day, and never cease to reflect with rapture on the "Midnight Hour." THE END. DISPOSITION OF THE CHARACTERS AT THE FALL OF THE CURTAIN. SERVANTS. Nic. AMB. MAR. JULIA. GEN. SERVANTS. FLORA. SEB. R.] [L. |