Mrs. S. [Taking his hand.] My poor Simpson!

Mrs. F. To Bromley.] So far as your indiscretion affects me, sir, I pardon you-deeply as it might have injured me in the opinion of this lady; but unfortunately for you, it yet remains

Brom. Do not overwhelm me with the anger-the contempt which my conduct merits. Your beauty was the light that dazzled and misled me, yet believe me—

Simp. Say no more, Bromley. You may believe him, ma'am; and I can assure you there is not in London a more affectionate husband-[Half aside,] notwithstanding his aptness to be dazzled, as he calls it, by stray lights. Mrs. S. But what can we say to poor Mrs. Bromley? Brom. I will avow all to her; the only explanation in the power of an offending husband, is the confession of his error.- -Heavens! she comes.

Enter MRS. BROMLEY, L.

Mrs. B. Well, Mr. Simpson, do you still refuse to ask pardon for your misconduct?

Simp. Ah! ma'am; matters have taken a strange turn since you quitted the room.

Brom. Ah! my Anna, you are far from suspecting who is the real offender; it is

Mrs. F. [Eagerly.] It is Captain Walsingham.

Mrs. B. With astonishment.] Captain Walsingham ! Brom. [Aside.] A woman for ever for helping one out of a scrape!

Mrs. F. Yes, the person I mentioned to you this morning. It is for him the portrait was copied.

Simp. And thus it is that innocent people are often made to suffer for the offences of such wicked wights. As for that Captain Walsingham-with whom Bromley and I are very well acquainted-I have a little account with him, which shall be settled in private. He shall not have it to say that I quietly took charge of this day's cargo of plagues and torments, which ought to have been consigned to him.

Mrs. B. But how came it, when he was mentioned this morning, that you remained silent?

Simp. To say the truth, I yusance as to boast of it.

am not so proud of his acA married man, who is so

- dazzled by stray lights," is not exactly the pe son ciate with-Eh, Bromley?

-. B. [To Mrs. Fitzallan.] But by what means did

rtrait

s. F. [Mysteriously, and in an under tone.] Hush! . B. Aye-I understand:-[Aside.] That poor dear Simpson! they make her believe just what they

e!

s. S. [Aside.] That dear good Mrs. Bromley-did

ut know

s. B. And now, Charles, I have a little surprise for Unknown to you I have sat for my portrait; acit as the token of my confidence in your fidelity; it serve as a little lesson to Mr. Simpson.

om. [Deeply affected.] Your portrait !-Never, never it quit me.-"[Aside.] And she's unconscious.-Oh ! na, the reproaches of an offended woman are soon gotten; her sweetness, her unsuspecting love, which one can reclaim a wandering heart, are remembered

ever.

Mrs. B. [In an under tone, and looking towards Simp.] Be merciful, my love."

imp. [Taking Bromley aside.] Bromley, that present es just in time; there's a vacant place in the pocketk.

Brom. A little indulgence

Simp. You must ask it at other hands than mine.rings Bromley forward, looking cautiously, at the same e, at the other characters.] Ladies and gentlemen, no ubt you have detected some little deficiencies in my rtner's private accounts-the firm is responsible to you we are now winding up matters with you for the eveng-we have done our best to answer your claims for musement in full-if the balance appears against us, ray, grant a little indulgence to the firm of Simpson-and--Co.

THE END.

No. LXI.

THE

MERCHANT OF VENICE

A Comeon

IN FIVE ACTS.

BY WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE

WITH THE STAGE BUSINESS, CAST OF CHARACTERS, COSTUMES, RELATIVE POSITIONS, ETC.