MRS. F. Discipline, I tell you. But reach me the decanter of wine from the shelf, that’s a dear. (pours contents of mortar into decanter.) There—there’s the sleeping draught for Miss Weakley; I made it from a receipt book belonging to my grandmama. Such a draught! it will make her sleep like Juliet’s drug, worthy of the book from which it was extracted.
Enter TWO MEN with basket, L.
Well, my good people.
1st. MAN. We have brought this hamper for Miss Fanny Pepper, and the footman told us to bring it up stairs.
MRS. F. Miss, indeed! Yes, it’s right Miss Fanny Pepper is Mr. Holdfast’s housemaid—you may leave the basket.
[MEN do so and exeunt, L. H.
JULIA. Well, while your are finishing your draughts, and the like, I will go and put on my bonnet to accompany you. With very different feelings from the time when I used to put it on to meet De Mowbray at the garden gate.
[Exit R. H., with the bottle.
MRS. F. What’s that? Oh! goodness, the basket moves—a man!
RECKLESS. (jumps out.) Madam, madam! do not cry out, I entreat you! I am a stranger, yet rely on your generosity.