[SCENE III.]—A room in sir Willoughby’s house—Helen and Charles meeting—Helen screams—they run towards each other, as if to embrace—Charles stops suddenly.
Helen. Charles! is it you, or is it your spirit?
Char. ’Tis I, madam, and you’ll find I have brought my spirit with me.
Helen. Hey! why what the deuce ails the man?
Char. My presence here, no doubt astonishes you.
Helen. Yes, sir, your presence does astonish me, but your manner still more.
Char. I understand you—you would still keep a poor devil in your toils, though in his absence you have been sporting with nobler game.
Helen. My good friend, will you descend from your heroical stilts, and explain your meaning in plain English?
Char. There needs no explanation of my conduct—call it caprice—say, if you please, that I am altered—say I have changed my mind, and love another better—
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—