THE SOMNAMBULIST.

ACT I.

SCENE I.-A Romantic Village in the Isle of Camargue, near Arles, Provence-the Farm-House of Edmund Beauchamp, and part of the picturesque Mill of Dame Michaud, L.-A Rustic Inn, R., with the sign, "The True Lovers' Knot.-Madame Gertrude."-A Summer Pavilion, with windows down to the ground, adjoins the Inn. A group of Male and Female Villagers, who have been hay-making, discovered resting on the grass, taking their mid day meal-A bell is heard ringing from the Farm-Villagers rise up.

Enter COLIN DE TROP.

Col. Ulloa! what, idling still? Dinner-hour is over, so I'd advise you to get to your work,-there's a great deal to do, and very little time to do it in.

Vils. (R.) We didn't want you to come and tell us that, Master de Trop.

Col. (L.) Didn't want me! nobody seems to want me ; I always appear to be one too many, and yet I'm not so very big, neither. I'm-but, no matter, I won't be vexed about it-no, every body must be pleased now, for tomorrow our neighbour, Master Edmund Beauchamp, is to be married to the pretty orphan, Ernestine Dormeuil, worthy Dame Michaud's adopted daughter; the contract is to be signed to-night, the Baillie will be here directly, and-Oh, dear! Oh, dear! What a way talking of a wedding always does put me in; but I'm such a loving soul, it's a shame and disgrace I should remain single-I needn't, that is if Madame Gertrude would but-eh! here she comes.

Enter MADAME GERTRUDE from Inn, R.

Ger. Hey-day! hey-day! neighbours, why what's all this bustle about?

Col. La! now, Madame Gertrude, and do you pretend you don't know? If you would but let the Baillie kill two birds with one stone.

Ger. Birds, Mr. De Trop? I don't understand youwhat birds?

Col. Why, turtles and doves; you and I, Madame Gertrude, to be sure. There's nothing like striking the iron while it's hot, so here goes. [Aside.] In a word, Madame Gertrude, I'm young and able, and you're marriage-able-I want a wife, you want a husband, andGer. Mr. De Trop!

Col. [Aside.] Ah, they always pretend they don't. But come, Mademoiselle Ernestine sets you a very good example.

Ger. Ernestine, indeed! a chit like her to think of marrying, and with Edmund, too, who might have had any woman in the village. Ay, I don't know that even I myself should have refused him

Col. Then don't refuse me.

Ger. A pretty choice he has made, truly; a girl with no fortune, no experience-but it's all Dame Michaud's fault, she shouldn't have encouraged the minx, and so I shall tell her.

Col. [Aside.] I've broken the ice-she seems very cool about it still, though.

Enter DAME MICHAUD from Mill, L. U, E.

Dame M. [Comes down, c.] Well, neighbours, is the notary come yet? Ernestine is all ready.

Ger. (R.) That I can well believe, dame. Nobody ever complained of her not being forward enough on any occasion.

Dame M. Forward! why what do you mean, widow? Ger. Neighbour! neighbour! you are to blame: these early marriages never come to any good-it is not at all proper-it don't look well, neighbour.

Dame M. Marry, now I think it's very proper. They are both young, he's rich, she's virtuous, they love each other; and, as for the match not looking well, they are the handsomest couple in the village, therefore it can't look better. [Seeing Edmund.] Ah! Edmund, my dear boy.

Enter EDMUND, from Farm, L. S. E.

-no more

Edm. (L.) Here I am, mother, all ready; but what's this? at work still, boys!-Pshaw! hang workwork to-day. [Exeunt Villagers, L. and R. U. E.-One lad and lass alone remaining.] And as for to-morrow, it must be a general holyday; mind I invite all the village, we must have no work then, eh, mother?

Dame M. [Aside.] By my troth, but there'll be a piece of work, though, if I know any thing of Madame Gertrude !-Eh! here the Baillie comes !

Col. [Looking off, R. U. E.] Ah, it is the Baillie coming, sure enough; what a way he does put me in! He reminds one so of throwing the stocking, and the ring, and all that. Heighò! how conjugal I do feel!

Enter the BAILLIE, R. U. E,-advances, c.—all bow and courtesy respectfully to him.

Bai. Good even, my children; I'm somewhat behind time, but I have been detained at the chateau, waiting the arrival of our new lord, Colonel Rosambert-a very amiable young man, who is expected hourly.

Col. [Looking at Baillie.] Lord bless me, to think, now, that he could with a few words make us two one. It won't bear thinking of-Dear me! dear me! I keep growing more wifeish every minute!!

Edm. What are we waiting for? Where is Ernestine? Ernestine! Ernestine!

Enter ERNESTINE hastily from the Mill, L.U. E.—

down R. of EDMUND.

[Calling!

She comes

[They embrace.

Ern. Dear, dear Edmund!. Ger. [Aside.] A forward hussy!-I shall expire. with vexation!

Col. Oh, lord! oh, lord! what a way it does put me in, to see them, to be sure !-I'm in such an all-over-ishness!-If Madame Gertrude, now, would but let me do so with her dear me ! dear me! if weddings are such provoking things to mere lookers-on, what must they be to the parties concerned?

Edm. Dear, dear Ernestine!-But let us not lose a moment-where is a chair for Monsieur, the Baillie? Ern. And the table for the papers-you know we have to sign the contract, Edmund.

[The Village Lad and Lass go into Farm, L. S. E., for the table, &c.

Col. [Running to join and assist them.] I'll get them, I'll get them: perhaps somebody may do the same kind office for me, one of these days. Oh how I should like to be married!

[They place the table in c., and an arm-chair behind, for Baillie, who sits, produces his ink-horn and papers, and arranges them.-Colin, who is extremely officious, is, to his great chagrin, checked more than once in his good offices.-Omnes appropriately group round Baillie.

Bai. Now, then, all is ready; where are the contracting parties?

Edm. [Taking Ernestine's hand.] Here.

Bai. Edmund Beauchamp, what bring you in marriage with Ernestine Dormeuil?

Edm. My farm, my fields, my gold, my goods, all that I possess, all is Ernestine's.

Bai. And you, maiden?

Ern. Alas! sir, I can only give my heart, and that has long been Edmund's, and my dear mother's, who, without a mother's right, has bestowed on me a mother's love, has supported me from infancy, to whom I owe my life, my all!

Dame M. [Crossing to, and embracing Ernestine.] Good girl! good girl!

Col. This is too touching! It melts my very soul: I was born for the wedded state-if Madame Gertrude would but it won't bear thinking of!

Bai. Nothing now remains but to sign the contract. Dame Michaud, as the adopting mother and nearest friend of the bride, Ernestine Dormeuil, you will sign first. [Presenting the pen.

Dame M. Laws! your worship, what should a poor body like I do with writing,-I can only make my mark.

Bai. "Twill be sufficient, it is good in law; put your cross there. [Dame Michaud signs. Col. [Looking over.] Why, dear me, you sign your name just exactly as I do mine, dame; but come, let me have a hand in the marriage, at all events.

Bai. Now the contracting parties.

[Edmund and Ernestine sign the contract,-Colin each time going to take the pen, but disappointed.

Col. [Taking pen.] Now then me ! What an interesting moment!

Bai. [Depriving Colin of pen.] Madame Gertrude, as nearest neighbour of the affianced, you will witness their betrothals.

Col. [With great mortification.] Why, then, my turn will never come.

Ger. [Speaking aside.] I sign the contract of his marriage with another?-Ungrateful-after all that has passed-but I betray myself. [She crosses to the table, signs, and goes back to R.] There, may you never repent your union! [Aside to Edmund. .Edm. Thank you, thank you kindly, cousin. Come, come, we must still be friends.

Col. If that had been our marriage contract that she's signed-but it won't bear thinking of. Mr. Baillie, would you, as a very great favour, just let me put my scratch in the contract, if it's only on the back. I should like to have a finger in the pie.

Bai. Oh! certainly-here, we'll put you in the lefthand corner.

Col. I shan't take up much room. [Signs.] Now I'm satisfied!

Edm. All then is completed, dearest! and we are affianced-to-morrow we meet, never to part again. Now, friends, in to the farm, and taste my humble cheer; then for the song and dance. My wedding eve must not be pass'd in sadness-and to-morrow—

[The Village Lad and Lass remove table, &c. into farmhouse.

Col. Will be the death of me.-I shall never be able to live over to-morrow night! I'm convinced of it.

Bai. Madame Gertrude, give me leave

[Takes Madame Gertrude's hand, and, with much ceremony, conducts her into the Farm, L. S. E.-Dame Michaud and Villagers follow.-Edmund and Ernestine have retired a little up, R.-Colin stops, disappointed. Col. Eh! why, if she isn't gone off with the Baillie, while I was standing, talking. Heigho! what a way ĺ am in.

[Colin stands, L., lost in a reverie,-Edmund and Ernes

tine, imagining themselves alone, with evident satisfaction retrace their steps to the front of the stage. Edm. (R.) Ernestine, my beloved Ernestine! now that, for a moment, we are alone, let us seize the golden chance, and-[Sees Colin.] Eh! Monsieur de Trop here?

B