shed tears; it is I ought to weep; you are a pure wo man. Old Lady Lamb. I pure? who, I?—no, no; sinful, sinful! But do not talk of quitting our family; what will become of us for friendship-for charity Dr. Cant. Enough; say no more, madam, I submit: while I can do good, it is my duty. Enter Colonel LAMBERT and DARNLEY. Col. Lamb. Your ladyship's most humble servant. Dr. Cant. Mr. Darnley, I am your most humble servant; I hope you and the good colonel will stay, and join in the private duties of the family. Old Lady Lamb. No, doctor, no; it is too early; the sun has not risen upon them; but, I doubt not, the day will come. Dr. Cant. I warrant they would go to a play now. Old Lady Lamb. Would they?—I am afraid they would. Darn. Why, I hope it is no sin, madam; if I am not mistaken, I have seen your ladyship at a play. Old Lady Lamb. Me, sir!-see me at a play! You may have seen the prince of darkness, or some of his imps, in my likeness, perhaps Darn. Well, but madam Old Lady Lamb. Mr. Darnley, do you think I would commit a murder? Dr. Cant. No, sir, no; these are not the plants usually to be met with in that rank soil; the seeds of wickedness indeed sprout up every where too fast; but a playhouse is the devil's hot-bed Col. Lamb. And, yet, doctor, I have known some of the leaders of your tribe, as scrupulous as they are, who have been willing to gather fruit there for the use of the brethren-as in case of a benefit Dr. Cant. The charity covereth the sin; and it may be lawful to turn the wages of abomination to the comfort of the righteous. Col. Lamb. Ha, ha, ha! Dr. Cant. Reprobate, reprobate! Col. Lamb. What is that you mutter, sirrah ♪ Old Lady Lamb. Oh, Heavens! Darn. Let him go, colonel. Col. Lamb. A canting hypocrite! Dr. Cant. Very well, sir; your father shall know my treatment. [Exit. Old Lady Lamb. Let me run out of the house; I shall have it fall upon my head, if I stay among such wicked wretches. Oh, grandson, grandson.! [Exit. Darn. Was there ever so insolent a rascal ? Col. Lamb. The dog will one day provoke me to beat his brains out. Darn. But what the devil is he?-whence comes he-what is his original-how has he so ingrati ated himself with your father, as to get footing in the house? Col. Lamb. Oh, sir, he is here in quality of chaplain; he was first introduced by the good old lady that's just gone out. You know she has been a long time a frequenter of our modern conventicles, where, it seems, she got acquainted with this sanctified pastor. His disciples believe him a saint, and my poor father, who has been for some time tainted with their pernicious principles, has been led into the same snare. Darn. Ha! here's your sister again. Enter CHARLOTTE and Doctor CANTWELL. Charl. You'll find, sir, I will not be used thus; nor shall your credit with my father protect your insolence to me. Col. Lamb. What's the matter? Char. Nothing; pray be quiet-I don't want youstand out of the way-how durst you bolt with such authority into my chamber, without giving me notice? Darn. Confusion! Col. Lamb. Hold-if my father won't resent this, 'tis then time enough for me to do it. Dr. Cant. Compose yourself, madam; I came by your father's desire, who being informed that you were entertaining Mr. Darnley, grew impatient, and gave his positive commands that you attend him instantly, or he himself, he says, will fetch you. Darn. Ay, now the storm is rising. Dr. Cant. So, for what I have done, madam, I had his authority, and shall leave him to answer you. Charl. 'Tis false. He gave you no authority to insult me; or, if he had, did you suppose I would bear it from you? What is it you presume upon? Your function? Does that exempt you from the manners of a gentleman ? Dr. Cant. Shall I have an answer to your father, lady? Charl. I'll send him none by you. Dr. Cant. I shall inform him so. Charl. A saucy puppy! [Exit. Col. Lamb. Pray, sister, what has the fellow done to you? Charl. Nothing. Darn. I beg you would tell us, madam. Charl. Nay, no great matter-but I was sitting carelessly in my dressing room-a-a fastening my garter, with my face just towards the door; and this impudent cur, without the least notice, comes bounce in upon me-and my devilish hoop happening to hitch in the chair, I was an hour before I could get down my petticoats. Darn. The rogue must be corrected. Col. Lamb. Yet, 'egad, I cannot help laughing at the accident; what a ridiculous figure must she make -ha, ha, ha! Charl. Hah! you're as impudent as he, I think. C Darn. Now, dear Tom, speak to her before she goes. Charl. What does he say, brother? Col. Lamb. Why, he wants to have me speak to you, and I would have him do it himself. Charl. Ay, come do, Darnley; I am in a good hu mour now. Darn. Oh, Charlotte, my heart is bursting Charl. Well, well, out with it then. Darn. Your father now, I see, is bent on parting Us nay, what's worse, perhaps, will give you to another-I cannot speak-imagine what I want from you Charl. Well- O lud! one looks so silly though when one is serious—O gad!——————In short, I cannot get it out. Col. Lamb. I warrant you; fry again. Charl. O lud-well-if one must be teased, thenwhy he must hope, I think. Darn. Is it possible?thus Col. Lamb. Buz- -not a syllable: she has done very well. I bar all heroics; if you press it too far, I'll hold six to four she's off again in a moment. * Darn. I'm silenced. Charl. Now am I on tiptoe to know what odd fel. low my father has found out for me. Darn. I'd give something to know him. Charl. He's in a terrible fuss at your being here, I find. |