Fern. She seems angry, I think.

Flor. Yes, they have been quarrelling for me: but as they have settled the point at last, you have only to follow your good fortune, and leave me to pursue mine.

Fern. Farewell, then. Yet, for heaven's sake remember, your life depends life depends on your good conduct.

[Exit.

Flor. I had much rather it depended upon any thing else. (Looks into the hut.) Not yet asleep; but certainly preparing for her siesta. She looks quite fatigued has been buffalo hunting, I suppose : rather a powerful exercise for the fair sex. Pray, heaven, she be a spinster; for they tell me these Indians make no more ceremony of cropping a man's ears close to his head, than we do in trimming a terrier puppy. (Goes into the hut.)

The Interior of the Hut.

Alm. If I well observed his looks, Florio would be shewing his gallantry. He shan't know me, however, till I see whether I'm my own rival.

FLORIO enters, she starts.

Flor. Don't be frightened, lady: 'tis but a man; a very young one; who, being a stranger in this part of

the world, and having an insurmountable curiosity to see the inside of an Indian hut, has taken the liberty to introduce himself. If I have offended, I'll retire. Alm. Oh no. I'll see the extent of his curiosity, however. (Aside.) Flor. Now to learn whether she be married. (Aside.) Perhaps I have chosen an unseasonable hour-you may expect the return of a jealous husband?

Alm. No.

Flor. Why is it possible you are not married?
Alm. Very possible.

Flor. My ears are safe, however. (Aside.) But still you may be waiting for some favour'd lover? Alm. No, I did'nt expect him.

Flor. Then you have a lover perhaps?

Alm. Yes, but he cares not for

poor Abacoa.

(Aside.)

Flor. Inconstant ! here's an opening.

And can he bear the pangs of absence?

Alm, Oh, yes, without breaking his heart; for though he left me not an hour ago, and swore eternal truth and constancy (as they tell me you Spaniards do), yet I dare say, by this time, he's making love to the first woman he meets.

Flor. Your suspicions wrong him: those eyes that shape that complexion

Alm. Complexion! Oh, fye, fye; praise an Indian girl for her complexion! I thought you Spaniards flatter'd with more judgment.

Flor. Then, as I hope to be saved, though the women of our country have some advantages, yet in point of complexion there's no comparison; you alone bear the original stamp of nature: the first women she made were precisely of your colour; but whether she exhausted her materials, or lost her art, I protest I can't tell, but she has ever since been blundering into the two opposite extremes, and has produced nothing but black and white ones.

Alm. Well, that's ingenious—what would you have said to me, had I been fair?

Flor. Umph -You know we must say something civil upon these occasions-I should have talked of roses and lilies, and auburn and alabaster, and celestial blue; but, upon my soul, I should not have admired you half so much. But is it possible your lover can be inconstant ?

Alm. Even so - what must I do with him?

Flor. Endeavour to reform him: if you find him incorrigible, you have nothing then left for it, but to follow his example.

Alm. Oh fie!

Flo. Nay, if in spite of all you can say, he is

determined to make love to the first woman he meets, what have you to do but, if you should like him, tơ fall in love with the first man you meet.

Alm. Will you be my lover then?
Flor. With the greatest pleasure.

Alm. But will you be my husband too?

Flor. Husband! Pray, madam, how long do marriages last in your country?

Alm. No longer than affection.

Flor. Why that in most European states would be a very reasonable time: pray how long is it here? Alm. Only till death.

Flor. Umph-that is rather an unreasonable time; but if you and I should marry, will it be necessary we should like together so long?

Alm. Oh, no! by no means.

Flor. I'll be passionately fond of you whilst I stay

in this part of the country.

Alm. I shall expect no more.

Flor. And you will be content to take me upon those terms?

Alm. Most gladly.

Flor. Upon my soul the women here understand

common sense.

Alm. But you must leave me now.
Flor. Leave you ?

(Aside.)

Alm. Yes, immediately.

Flor. But when shall I see you again?

Alm. To-night, perhaps; if not, early to-morrow.
Flor. Nay, let it be to-night.

Alm. Well, well, but leave me now.

Flor. This is confoundedly tantalizing. (Aside.) Farewell, I forget your name tho'.

Alm. Abacoa.

Flor. Abacoa: a very pretty name. We must part in the European fashion. (Kisses her) Who would suppose her to be a Catabaw by the taste of her lips. [Exit. Alm. alone. This may produce excellent sport, but now to rest. I'll dream of some device to punish him for thus letting me seduce him from myself.

[Exit.

Scene, a Prison.

RAYMOND sleeping.—ABDALLAH enters with a dagger, and listens.

Abd. Soundly he sleeps: the blow were easy now, yet should I strike amiss and wake him. Ha!

[He retires. RAYMOND starts from his sleep. Raym. Away; I will not go: unlock my hand,