LUCY
Lud! ma'am, here is Miss Melville.
LYDIA
Is it possible!——
[Exit LUCY.]
[Enter JULIA.]
LYDIA My dearest Julia, how delighted am I!—[Embrace.] How unexpected was this happiness!
JULIA True, Lydia—and our pleasure is the greater.—But what has been the matter?—you were denied to me at first!
LYDIA Ah, Julia, I have a thousand things to tell you!—But first inform me what has conjured you to Bath?—Is Sir Anthony here?
JULIA He is—we are arrived within this hour—and I suppose he will be here to wait on Mrs. Malaprop as soon as he is dressed.
LYDIA Then before we are interrupted, let me impart to you some of my distress!—I know your gentle nature will sympathize with me, though your prudence may condemn me! My letters have informed you of my whole connection with Beverley; but I have lost him, Julia! My aunt has discovered our intercourse by a note she intercepted, and has confined me ever since! Yet, would you believe it? she has absolutely fallen in love with a tall Irish baronet she met one night since we have been here, at Lady Macshuffle's rout.
JULIA
You jest, Lydia!