Page:A Series of Plays on the Passions Volume 1.pdf/230

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228
THE TRYAL: A COMEDY.

quire the price of turnip seed; but he will be here by-and-by, if a hundred other things do not prevent him. (Bows to Sir Loftus; then turns to Harwood, and speaks as if he resumed a conversation which had just been broken off, whilst Sir Loftus and Mariane retire to the bottom of the stage.) I perfectly agree with you, Mr Harwood, that the study and preparation requisite for your profession is not altogether a dry treasuring up of facts in the memory, as many of your young students conceive: he who pleads the cause of man before fellow-men, must know what is in the heart of man as well as what is in the book of records, and what study is there in nature so noble, so interesting as this?

Har. But the most pleasing part of our task, my good sir, is not the least difficult. Where application only is wanting I shall not be left behind, for I am not without ambition, though the younger son of a family by no means affluent; and I have a widow mother whose hopes of seeing me respectable, must not be disappointed. I assure you there is nothing—(Listening.)

With. Go on, Mr. Harwood, I have great pleasure in hearing you.

Har. I thought I heard a door move.

With. It is Agnes in the next room, I dare say, she is always making a noise.

Har. In the next room!

With. But you was going to assure me—Have the goodness to proceed.

Har. I was going to say—I rather think I said—I am sure—(Listening again.)