Rightly. My life on't, his head is turned upon some girl not worth a shilling—There is an amiable defect, but a very observable one, in the nature of some men. A good head and heart operate as effectually as vice or folly could do to make them improvident.
Cliff. Mr. Rightly, I confide to your hands a new secret relative to the Charlton estate; do not read it till you return home. [Gives the Book, aside, and going.] There, Gayville, is one reply to your challenge—and now for another.
Rightly. One moment, sir—I engage for no secrecy that my own judgment shall not warrant.
Cliff. And the benevolence of your heart approve—Those are my conditions.
[Exeunt on opposite Sides.
SCENE II.
Hyde Park.
Enter Lord Gayville impetuously, looking at his Watch.
Lord G. Not here! I am sure I marked the hour as well as the place, precisely in my note. [Walks about.] Had I been told three days ago, that I should have been the appellant in a premeditated duel, I should have thought it an insult upon my principles—That Clifford should be the cause of my transgressing the legal and sacred duties, we have ever both maintained—oh, it would have seemed a visionary impossibility—But he comes, to cut reflections short—