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tance which Charity bestows! Ha! He has seen me and returns.
(Enter Edward Mordaunt.)
EDWARD.
How now'? Why dare you thus hang upon my foot–
steps'? Hence! Or you may repent your indiscretion. Hence, I
say!
LOUISA.
Oh, Edward have compassion, if not on me, have pity
on your child now pining for food I can no longer supply.
Grant me but a pittance and use the rest as selfish appetite
shall dictate.
EDWARD.
No. I have need of it for a special purpose.
LOUISA.
Yes, to purchase that which renders you by society hated
and despised; but though crimes hurry me to a premature
grave, my child shall yet be rescued from starvation. From a
sordid world, I'll supplicate that money you will not grant,
and when next you raise the envenomed liquor to your lip,
may Conscience shout in your ear-This is the heart's blood
of thy unoffending, murdered wife!
EDwARD.
I charge you, begone! Provoke me no further or I may
be tempted-
LOUISA.
To strike me as you have done before. Nay, do not
check your will. You cannot now degrade me to a lower
depth. Aye, frown, I have no feeling of dismay. I have strug–
gled with my fate till the last ray of hope is fled. I have en–
dured penury, want, contumely, and disgrace until they have
crushed me to the grave.
EDWARD.
Take this
(offers money).
And leave me. Your presence
annoys me.
LOUISA.
What! Accept the .moiety your grovelling dissipation
spares'? No! Away to your licentious haunts! Away to your
poison'd atmosphere, your poison'd confederates, and your
poison'd enjoyments!
~
shall ne'er upbraid you more. The
Day of Retribution is at hand-see that you are nerved for
its approach! (
Exz"t Louisa.)
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