over

great respect I entertain for your lordship, when you know them, pity and protect me. [Courtesies] made me shudder at his ad[Exit in Tears. dresses. Lord O. How the devil could I bring her Lord O. Charming girl!-Proceed, my dear to this? It-it is too much-too much-l can't miss Fanny, proceed! bear it-I must give way to this amiable weakFan. In a moment-give me leave, my lord! ness. [Wipes his Eyes] My heart -But if what I have to disclose should be flows with sympathy, and I feel every tenderreceived with anger or displeasureness I have inspired. [Stifles a Tear] Can Lord O. Impossible, by all the tender pow-I be a man, and withstand it? No-TH sacriers! Speak, I beseech you, or I shall divine fice the whole sex to her. But here comes the cause before you utter it. the father, quite apropos. I'll open the matter Fan. Then, my lord, sir John's addresses immediately, settle the business with him, and are not only shocking to me in themselves, take the sweet girl down to Ogleby-house tobut are more particularly disagreeable to me morrow morning. But what the devil! Miss at this time-as-as

[Hesitates. Sterling too! What mischief's in the wind now? No conquest there-no, no, that would

Lord O. As what, madam? Fan. As-pardon my confusion-I am en- be too much desolation in the family. tirely devoted to another.

Lord O. If this is not plain, the devil's in it. [Aside]-But tell me, my dear miss Fanny, for I must know; tell me the how, the when, and the where-Tell me

Re-enter CANTON, hastily.

Enter STERLING and MISS STERLING. Ster. My lord, your servant! I am attending my daughter here upon rather a disagreeable affair. Speak to his lordship, Betsy.

Lord O. Your eyes, miss Sterling, for I always read the eyes of a young lady, betray some little emotion. What are your commands, madam?

Can. My lor, my lor, my lor! Lord O. D-n your Swiss impertinence! how durst you interrupt me in the most cri-emotion, my lord! tical, melting moment that ever love and beauty honoured me with?

Miss S. I have but too much cause for my
Lord O. I cannot commend my kinsman's
behaviour, madam.
He has behaved like a

Can. I demande pardon, my lor! Sir John false knight, I must confess. I have heard of Melvil, my lor, sent me to beg you do him de honeur to speak a little to you, my lor. of it.

Lord O. I'm not at leisure-I am busy-Get away, you stupid old dog, you Swiss rascal, or Ill

his apostasy. Miss Fanny has informed me

Miss S. Miss Fanny's baseness has been the cause of sir John's inconstancy.

Lord O. Nay, now, my dear miss Sterling,

Can. Fort bien, my lor. [Goes out on Tiptoe. your passion transports you too far. Sir John Lord O. By the laws of gallantry, madam, may have entertained a passion for miss Fanthis interruption should be death; but as nolny, but believe me, my dear miss Sterling, punishment ought to disturb the triumph of believe me, miss Fanny has no passion for sir the softer passions, the criminal is pardoned John. She has a passion, indeed, a most tenand dismissed. Let us return, madam, to the der passion. She has opened her whole soul highest luxury of exalted minds-a declaration to me, and I know where her affections are of love from the lips of beauty. [Conceitedly. Fan. The entrance of a third person has a Miss S. Not upon Mr. Lovewell, my lord. little relieved me, but I cannot go through Lord O. Lovewell! No, poor lad! she does with it; and yet I must open my heart with not think of him. [Smiles] I know better: a discovery, or it will break with its burden. however, a little time will solve all mysteries. Miss S. Have a care, my lord, that both the

[Aside.

placed.

Lord O. What passion in her eyes! I am families are not made the dupes of sir John's alarmed to agitation. [Aside] I presume, ma- artifice, and my sister's dissimulation! You dam (and as you have flattered me, by mak- don't know her; indeed, my lord, you don't ing me a arty concerned, I hope you'll ex-know her; a base, insinuating, perfidious!-It cuse the presumption), that

is too much-She has been beforehand with

Fan. Do you excuse my making you a me, I perceive, endeavouring to prejudice your party concerned, my lord, and let me interest lordship in her favour; and I am to be laughed your heart in my behalf, as my future happi- at by every body. Such unnatural behaviour. ness or misery in a great measure depend- to me! But since I see I can have no redress,

Lord O. Upon me, madam?

Fan. Upon you, my lord.

I am resolved that some way or other I will
[Exit.

[Sighs. have revenge.
Lord O. I have too much sensibility to bear
[Sighs. the tears of beauty.
Ster. It is touching indeed, my lord; and

Lord O. There's no standing this: 1 have Ster. This is foolish work, my lord!

caught the infection-her tenderness dissolves

me.

Fan. And should you too severely judge of a rash action which passion prompted, and very moving for a father.

modesty has long concealed

Lord O. To be sure, sir! You, with your

Lord O. [Takes her Hand] 'Thou amiable exquisite feelings, must be distressed beyond creature, command my heart, for it is van-measure! Wherefore, to divert your too exquished. Speak but thy virtuous wishes, and quisite feeling, suppose we change the subject,

enjoy them.

and proceed to business.

Fan. I cannot, my lord; indeed I cannot. Mr. Lovewell must tell you my distresses; and

Ster. With all my heart, my lord.

Lord O. You see, Mr. Sterling, we can make

no union in our families by the proposed marriage.

Ster. And I am very sorry to see it, my lord.

Re-enter LOVEWELL, hastily.

Love. I beg your lordship's pardon; are you alone, my lord?

Lord O. No, my lord, I am not alone; I

LordO. Have you set your heart upon be-am in company, the best company. ing allied to our house, Mr. Sterling?

Ster. Tis my only wish at present, my om

nium, as I may call it.

Lord O. Your wishes shall be fulfilled.

Ster. Shall they, my lord? but how-how? Lord O. I'll marry in your family. • Ster. What! my sister Heidelberg?

LordO. You throw me into a cold sweat, Mr. Sterling. No, not your sister, but your daughter.

Ster. My daughter?

Lord O. Fanny;-now the murder's out!
Ster. What you, my lord?

Lord O. Yes, I, I, Mr. Sterling.

Love. My lord!

Lord O. I never was in such exquisite, enchanting company since my heart first conceived, or my senses tasted, pleasure.

Love. Where are they, my lord?

[Looks about.

Lord O. In my mind, Horatio. Love. What company have you there, my lord? [Smiles.

Lord O. My own ideas, sir, which so crowd upon my imagination, and kindle in it such a delirium of ecstasy, that wit, wine, music, poetry, all combined, and each in perfection, are but mere mortal shadows of my felicity. Love. I see that your lordship is happy, and I rejoice at it.

Ster. No, no, my lord; that's too much. [Smiles. Lord O. Too much! I don't comprehend you. Ster. What you, my lord, marry my Fan-licity shall not selfishly be confined, but shall ? Bless me! what will the folks say?

Lord O. Mr. Sterling, this may be city wit, for aught I know. Do you court my alliance? Ster. To be sure, my lord.

Lord O. Then I'll explain-My nephew won't marry your eldest daughter, nor I neither. Your youngest daughter won't marry him; I will marry your youngest daughter.

Ster. What! with a youngest daughter's fortune, my lord?

Lord O. With any fortune, or no fortune at all, sir. Love is the idol of my heart, and the demon interest sinks before him. So, sir, as I said before, I will marry your youngest daughter; your youngest daughter will Ster. Who told you so, my lord? Lord O. Her own sweet self, sir.

Ster. Indeed!

marry

[me.

LordO. Yes, sir; our affection is mutual;

Lord O. You shall rejoice at it, sir; my fe

spread its influence to the whole circle of my friends. I need not say, Lovewell, that you shall have your share of it.

Love. Shall 1, my lord?-then I understand you; you have heard; miss Fanny has informed you

Lord O. She has; I have heard, and she shall he happy; 'tis determined.

Love. Then I have reached the summit of my wishes. And will your lordship pardon the folly?

Lord O. O yes, poor creature, how could she help it? 'Twas unavoidable-fate and necessity.

Love. It was indeed, my lord. Your kindness distracts me.

Lord O. And so it did the poor girl, faith. Love. She trembled to disclose the secret, and declare her affections?

Lord O. The world, I believe, will not think her affections ill placed.

Love. [Bows] You are too good, my lord.

your advantage double and treble; your daugh--And do you really excuse the rashness of ter will be a countess directly-I shall be the the action?

happiest of beings, and you'll be father to an earl instead of a baronet.

Ster. But what will my sister say? and my daughter?

Lord O. I'll manage that matter; nay, if they won't consent, I'll run away with your daughter in spite of you.

Ster. Well said, my lord! your spirit's good; I wish you had my constitution; but if you'll you venture, I have no objection, if my sister has

none.

Lord O. I'll answer for your sister, sir. A propos, the lawyers are in the house. I'll have articles drawn, and the whole affair concluded to-morrow morning.

Lord O. From my very soul, Lovewell.

Love. [Bows] I was afraid of her meeting with a cold reception.

Lord O. More fool you then. [beauty,
Who pleads her cause with never failing
Here finds a full redress.

[Strikes his Breast.

She's a fine girl, Lovewell.

Love. Her beauty, my lord, is her least merit. She has an understanding

Lord O. Her choice convinces me of that. Love. [Bows] That's your lordship's goodness. Her choice was a disinterested one. LordO. No, no, not altogether; it began with interest, and ended in passion.

Love. Indeed, my lord, if you were acquainted with her goodness of heart, and ge

Ster. Very well! and I'll dispatch Lovewell to London immediately for some fresh papers I shall want; you must excuse me, my lord, nerosity of mind, as well as you are with the but I can't help laughing at the match. - He, inferior beauties of her face and personhe, he! what will the folks say?

[Exit.

Lord O. I am so perfectly convinced of

Lord O. What a fellow am I going to make their existence, and so totally of your mind, a father of! He has no more feeling than the touching every amiable particular of that sweet post in his ware-house-But Fanny's virtues girl, that were it not for the cold, unfeeling tune me to rapture again, and I won't think impediments of the law, I would marry her of the rest of the family.

to-morrow morning.

Love. My lord!
Sir J. Your lordship's generosity encourages
Lord O. I would, by all that's honourable me to tell you that I cannot marry miss
in man, and amiable in woman.

Loce. Marry her! - Who do you mean, my lord?

Lord O. Miss Fanny Sterling that is; the countess of Ogleby that shall be.

Love. I am astonished!

Lord O. Why, could you expect less

from me?

Love. I did not expect this, my lord.

Lord O. Trade and accounts have destroyed your feeling.

Love. No indeed, my lord. [Sighs. Lord O. The moment that love and pity entered my breast, I was resolved to plunge into matrimony, and shorten the girl's tortures-I never do any thing by halves, do I, Lovewell?

Sterling.

Lord O. I am not at all surprised at itshe's a bitter potion, that's the truth of it; but as you were to swallow it, and not I, it was your business, and not mine.-Any thing

more?

Sir J. But this, my lord; that I may be permitted to make my addresses to the other sister.

LordO. O yes, by all means-have you any hopes there, nephew? Do you think he'll succeed, Lovewell?

[Smiles and winks at Lovewell. Love. I think not, my lord. [Gravely. Lord O. I think so too; but let the fool try. Sir J. Will your lordship favour me with your good offices to remove the chief obsta

Love. No indeed, my lord. [Sighs] What cle to the match, the repugnance of Mrs. an accident! [Aside. Heidelberg? Lord O. What's the matter, Lovewell? thou Lord O. Mrs. Heidelberg? - Had not you seem'st to have lost thy faculties. Why don't better begin with the young lady first? It will you wish me joy, man? save you a great deal of trouble, won't it, Love. O, I do, my lord. [Sighs. Lovewell? [Smiles] But do what you please, Lord O. She said that you would explain it will be the same thing to me: won't it, what she had not power to utter; but I want- Lovewell? [Conceitedly] Why don't you ed no interpreter for the language of love.

Love. But has your lordship considered the

consequences of your resolution?

Lord O. No, sir, I am above consideration, when my desires are kindled.

Love. But consider the consequences, my lord, to your nephew, sir John.

LordO. Sir John has considered no consequences himself, Mr. Lovewell.

Love. Mr. Sterling, my lord, will certainly refuse his daughter to sir John.

Lord O. Sir John has already refused Mr. Sterling's daughter.

Love. But what will become of miss Ster

ling, my lord?

laugh at him?

Love. I do, my lord. [Forces a smile, Sir J. And your lordship will endeavour to prevail on Mrs. Heidelberg to consent to my marriage with miss Fanny?

Lord O. I'll speak to Mrs. Heidelberg about the adorable Fanny as soon as possible. Sir J. Your generosity transports me. Lord O. Poor fellow, what a dupe! he little thinks who's in possession of the town. [Aside. Sir J. And your lordship is not in the least offended at this seeming inconstancy? Lord O. Not in the least. Miss Fanny's charms will even excuse infidelity. I look upon women as the feræ naturæ-lawful game

Lord O. What's that to you? - You may - and every man who is qualified, has a nahave her, if you will. I depend upon Mr. tural right to pursue them;-Lovewell as well Sterling's city philosophy to be reconciled to as you, and you as well as he, and I as well lord Ogleby's being his son-in law, instead of as either of you.-Every man shall do his sir John Melvil, baronet. Don't you think best, without offence to any-what say you,

that your master may be brought to that,

without having recourse to his calculations, eh, Lovewell?

kinsmen?
Sir J. You have made me happy, my lord.
Love. And me, I assure you, my lord.
Lord O. And I am superlatively so-allons

Love. But, my lord, that is not the question. Lord O. Whatever is the question, I'll tell donc! To horse and away, boys! you to you my answer. I am in love with a fine your affairs, and I to mine-suivons l'amour. girl, whom I resolve to marry.

Enter SIR JOHN MELVIL.

What news with you, sir John? You look all hurry and impatience-like a messenger after a battle.

[Sings. Exeunt severally.

ACT V.

SCENE I.-FANNY'S Apartment.

Sir J. After a battle indeed, my lord. 1 Enter LOVEWELL and FANNY, followed by

BETTY.

Fan. Why did you come so soon, Mr. Lovewell? the family is not yet in bed, and

have this day had a severe engagement; and wanting your lordship as an auxiliary, I have at last mustered up resolution to declare what my duty to you and to myself have demanded Betty certainly heard somebody listening near

from me some time.

the chamber-door. Lord O. To the business then, and be as Bet. My mistress is right, sir! evil spirits concise as possible, for I am upon the wing are abroad; and I am sure you are both too -eh, Lovewell? [Smiles, and Lovewell bows. good, not to expect mischief from them. Sir J. I find 'tis in vain, my lord, to strug- Love. But who can be so curious, or so gle against the force of inclination.

wicked?

LordO. Very true, nephew; I am your Bet. I think we have wickedness and cuwitness, and will second the motion-shan't I, riosity enough in this family, sir, to expect Lovewell? [Smiles, and Lovewell bows. the worst.

Fan. I do expect the worst. - Pr'ythee, head two or three times, and went so with Betty, return to the outward door, and listen my hand. if you hear any body in the gallery; and let Fan. Well-well-and so us know directly.

Bet. And so, madam, when I heard Mr. Bet. I warrant you, madam-the Lord bless Lovewell a little loud, I heard the buzzing you both! [Exit. louder too-and pulling off my handkerchief

Fan, What did my father want with you softly, I could hear this sort of noisethis evening?

Love. He gave me the key of his closet, with orders to bring from London some papers relating to lord Ogleby.

Fan. And why did you not obey him?

Love. Because I am certain that his lordship has opened his heart to him about you, and those papers are wanted merely on that account-But as we shall discover all to-morrow, there will be no occasion for them, and it would be idle in me to go.

[Makes an indistinct sort of noise, like speaking.

Fan. Well, and what did they say? Bet. O! I could not understand a word of what was said.

Love. The outward door is lock'd? Bet. Yes; and I bolted it too, for fear of the worst.

Fan. Why did you? they must have heard you, if they were near.

Bet. And I did it on purpose, madam, and

Fan. Hark!-hark! bless me, how I tremble! cough'd a little too, that they might not hear -I feel the terrors of guilt-Indeed, Mr. Love- Mr. Lovewell's voice-when I was silent, they well, this is too much for me this situa- were silent, and so I came to tell you. tion may have very unhappy consequences. Fan. What shall we do?

[Weeps. Love. Fear nothing; we know the worst;

Love. But it sha'nt-I would rather tell our it will only bring on our catastrophe a little story this moment to all the house, and run too soon-but Betty might fancy this noisethe risk of maintaining you by the hardest she's in the conspiracy, and can make a man labour, than suffer you to remain in this dan- a mouse at any time.

gerous perplexity. - What! shall I sacrifice all Bet. I can distinguish a man from a mouse my best hopes and affections, in your dear as well as my betters-I'm sorry you think health and safety, for the mean, and in such so ill of me, sir.

case the meanest consideration-of our for- Fan. He compliments you, don't be a fool! tune?-Were we to be abandoned by all our - Now you have set her tongue a running, relations, we have that in our hearts and she'll mutter for an hour. [To Lovewell] PI minds will weigh against the most affluent go and hearken myself. [Exit. circumstances. I should not have proposed Bet. I'll turn my back upon no girl for the secresy of our marriage, but for your sincerity and service. sake; and with hopes that the most generous [Half aside and muttering. sacrifice, you have made to love and me, Love. Thou art the first in the world for might be less injurious to you, by waiting a lucky moment of reconciliation.

both; and I will reward you soon, Betty, for one and the other.

Bet. I am not mercenary neither-I can live on a little, with a good carreter1).

Re-enter FANNY,

Fan. Hush! hush! for heaven's sake, my dear Lovewell; don't be so warm! your generosity gets the better of your prudence; you will be heard, and we shall be discover- Fan. All seems quiet. Suppose, my dear, ed. I am satisfied-indeed I am. Excuse you go to your own room-I shall be much this weakness, this delicacy, this what you easier then-and to-morrow we will be prewill.-My mind's at peace-indeed it is- pared for the discovery.

think no more of it, if you love me! Bet. You may discover, if you please; but Love. That one word has charmed me, as for my part, I shall still be secret. it always does, to the most implicit obedience: [Half aside, and muttering. it would be the worst of ingratitude in me to Love. Should I leave you now; if they distress you a moment. [Kisses her. still are upon the watch, we shall lose the Re-enter BETTY. advantage of our delay. Besides, we should Bet. [In a low Voice] I'm sorry to dis-consult upon to-morrow's business. Let Betty turb you. Fan. Ha! what's the matter?

Bet. I was preparing myself, as usual, to

take me a little nap

Love. A nap!

go to her own room, and lock the outward door after her; we can fasten this; and when she thinks all safe, she may return and let me out as usual.

Bet. Shall I, madam?

Fan. Do let me have my way to-night, and you shall command me ever after.

Love. I live only to oblige you, my sweet Fanny! I'll be gone this moment. [Going. Fan. Betty shall go first, and if they lay hold of her

Bet. They'll have the wrong sow by the

Bet. Yes, sir, a nap; for I watch much ear, I can tell them that. [Going hastily. better so than wide awake; and when I had Fan. Softly-softly-Betty! don't venture wrapped this handkerchief round my head, out, if you hear a noise. Softly, I beg of for fear of the ear-ache from the key-hole, I you! See, Mr. Lovewell, the effects of indisthought I heard a kind of a sort of a buzzing, cretion!

which I first took for a gnat, and shook my 1) Character.

Love. But love, Fanny, makes amends for all. [Exeunt softly.

SCENE II.-A Gallery, which leads to se-
veral Bed-chambers. The Stage dark.

Enter MISS STERLING, leading MRS. HEI-
DELBERG in a Night-cap.

Miss. S. This way, dear madam, and then
I'll tell you all.

Mrs. H. Nay but, niece-consider a little don't drag me out this figure; let me put on my fly-cap! If any of my lord's fammaly, or the counsellors at law should be stirring, I should be perdigus disconcerted.

Miss S. Hush, madam! I hear something! Mrs. H. You frighten me-let me put on my fly-cap-1 would not be seen in this figur for the world.

Miss S. Tis dark, madam; you can't be seen. Mrs. H. I protest there's a candle coming, and a man too!

Miss S. Nothing but servants;-let us retire a moment! [They retire.

Enter BRUSH, half drunk, laying hold of the Chamber-maid, who has a Candle in her Hand.

Cham. Be quiet, Mr. Brush; I shall drop down with terror! Brush. But my sweet, and most amiable

Miss S. But, my dear madam, a moment is an age, in my situation. I am sure my chambermaid, if you have no love, you may sister has been plotting my disgrace and ruin hearken to a little reason; that cannot posin that chamber! - O! she's all craft and sibly do your virtue any harm. wickedness.

Cham. But you may do me harm, Mr. Brush,

Mrs. H. Well, but softly; Betsy! - you are and a great deal of harm too; -pray let me all in emotion-your mind is too much flus-go; I am ruined if they hear you; I tremble trated-you can neither eat, nor drink, nor like an asp1).

take your natural rest-compose yourself, Brush. But they shan't hear us; and if you child; for if we are not as warisome as they have a mind to be ruined, it shall be the are wicked, we shall disgrace ourselves and making of your fortune, you little slut, you! the whole fammaly. therefore, I say it again, if you have no love,

Miss S. We are disgraced already, madam. hear a little reason! Sir John Melvil has forsaken me; my lord Cham. I wonder at your impurence 2), Mr. cares for nobody but himself; or if any body, Brush, to use me in this manner; this is not it is my sister: my father, for the sake of a the way to keep me company, I assure you. better bargain, would marry me to a 'Change You are a town-rake, I see, and now you broker: so that if you, madam, don't continue are a little in liquor you fear nothing. my friend-if you forsake me if I am to Brush. Nothing, by heavens! but your lose my best hopes and consolation-in your frowns, most amiable chambermaid; I am a tenderness-and affections - I had better-at little electrified, that's the truth on't; I am not once-give up the matter-and let my sister used to drink port, and your master's is so enjoy--the fruits of her treachery - trample heady, that a pint of it oversets a claret drinwith scorn upon the rights of her elder sister ker. Come now, my dear little spider-the will of the best of aunts and the weak- brusher!

ness of a too interested father.

Cham. Don't be rude! bless me!-I shall

Brush. I'll take care of you, by all that's honourable.

Cham. You are a base man to use me so

[She pretends to be bursting into Tears be ruined-what will become of me? during this speech. Mrs. H. Don't, Betsy-keep up your spurrit-I hate whimpering-I am your frienddepend upon me in every particular.-But be - I'll cry out, if you don't let me go. That composed, and tell me what new mischief is miss Sterling's chamber, that miss Fanny's, you have discovered.

and that madam Heidelberg's.

Miss S. I had no desire to sleep, and Brush. We know all that. And that lord would not undress myself, knowing that my Ogleby's, and that my lady What-d'ye-callMachiavel sister would not rest till she had 'em's: I don't mind such folks when I'm sobroke my heart:- I was so uneasy that I ber, much less when I am whimsical-rather could not stay in my room, but when I thought above that, too.

that all the house was quiet, I sent my maid Cham. More shame for you, Mr. Brush!to discover what was going forward; - she you terrify me-you have no modesty. immediately came back and told me, that Brush. O, but I have, my sweet spiderthey were in high consultation; that she had brusher-for instance, I reverence miss Fanny heard only, for it was in the dark, my sister's -she's a most delicious morsel, and fit for a

maid conduct sir John Melvil to her mistress, and then lock the door.

Mrs. H. And how did you conduct yourself in this dilemma?

prince. With all my horrors of matrimony, I could marry her myself-but for her sisterMiss S. [Within] There, there, madam, all in a story!

Cham. Bless me, Mr. Brush! - I heard something!

Miss S. I returned with her, and could hear a man's voice, though nothing that they said distinctly; and you may depend upon it, Brush. Rats, I suppose, that are gnawing that sir John is now in that room, that they the old timbers of this execrable old dungeon have settled the matter, and will run away - If it was mine, I would pull it down, and together before morning, if we don't prevent them. fill your fine canal up with the rubbish; and Mrs. H. Why, the brazen slut! she has got then I should get rid of two d-n'd things her sister's husband (that is to be) lock'd up at once.

in her chamber! at night too!-Í tremble at the thoughts!

Cham. Law! law! how you blaspheme!