ACT IV. SCENE 1. A Parlour in Sir JOHN LAMBERT's House. Enter CHARLOTTE and SEYWARD. Charlotte. You were a witness, then? Seyw. I saw it signed, sealed, and delivered, ma dam. Charl. And all passed without the least suspicion ? Seyw. Sir John signed it with such earnestness, and the doctor received it with such a seeming reluctance, that neither had the curiosity to examine a line of it. Charl. Well, Mr. Seyward, whether it succeeds to our ends or not, we have still the same obligations to you. You saw with what a friendly warmth my brother heard your story; and I don't in the least doubt his being able to do something for you. Seyw. What I have done, my duty bound me to; but pray, madam, give me leave, without offence, to ask you one innocent question. Charl. Freely. Seyw. Have you never suspected, that in all this affair, I have had some secret stronger motive than barely duty? Charl. Yes.. But have you been in no appre hensions I should discover that motive? Seyw. Pray, pardon me; I see already I have gone too far. Charl. Not at all; it loses you no merit with me; nor is it in my nature to use any one ill that loves me, unless I loved that one again: then, indeed, there might be danger. Come, don't look grave; my inclinations to another shall not hinder me paying every one what's due to their merit: I shall, therefore, always think myself obliged to treat your misfortunes and your modesty with the utmost tenderness. Seyw. Dear madam, mad as I am, I never hoped for more. Charl. Then I'll give you a great deal more; and to shew you my particular good opinion of you, I'll do you a favour, Mr. Seyward, I never did any man since I was born: I'll be sincere with you. Seyw. Is it then possible you can have loved another, to whom you never were sincere ? Charl. Alas, you are but a novice in the passion.Sincerity is a dangerous virtue, and often surfeits what it ought to nourish. Therefore I take more pains to make the man I love believe I slight him, than, if possible, I would to convince you of my esteem and friendship.- -Nay, I'll do more still; I'll shew you all the good nature you can desire; you shall make what love to me you please; but then I'll tell you the consequence: I shall certainly be pleased with it, and that will flatter you till I do you a mischief. Now do you think me sincere? Seyw. I scarce consider that: but I'm sure you are agreeable. Charl. Why, look you there, now; do you consider, that a woman had as lief be thought agreeable as handsome; and how can you suppose, from one of your sense, that I am not pleased with being told so? Seyw. Was ever temper so enchanting!-Your good opinion is all I aim at. Charl. Ay, but the more I give it you, the better you'll think of me still; and then I must think the better of you again; and then you the better of me, upon that too; and so at last I shall think seriously, and you'll begin to think ill of me. But I hope, Mr. Seyward, your good sense will prevent all this. Seyw. I see my folly, madam, and blush at my presumption. Madam, I humbly take my leave. [Exit. Charl. Well, he's a pretty young fellow after all, and the very first sure that ever heard reason against himself with so good an understanding.- -Lord, how one may live and learn!-I could not have believed that modesty in a young fellow could have been so amiable. And though I own there is, I know not what, of dear delight in indulging one's vanity with them, yet, upon serious reflection, we must confess, that truth and sincerity have a thousand charms beyond it. I believe I had as good confess all this to Darnley, and e'en make up the bustle with him too: but then he will so tease one for instances of real inclination- O gad!- -I cann't bear the thought on't and yet we must come together tooWell, Nature knows the way, to be sure, and so I'll e'en trust to her for it. Enter Lady LAMBERT. Lady Lamb. Dear Charlotte, what will become of us -The tyranny of this subtle hypocrite is insupportable. He has so fortified himself in Sir John's opinion, by this last misconduct of your brother, that I begin to lose my usual power with him. Charl. Pray explain, madam. Lady Lamb. In spite of all I could urge, he has consented that the doctor shall this minute come, and be his own advocate with you. Charl. I'm glad on't; for the beast must come like a bear to the stake. I'm sure he knows I shall bait him. Lady Lamb. No matter for that; he presses it, to keep Sir John still blind to his wicked designs upon -Therefore I am come to give you notice, that you might be prepared to receive him. me. Charl. I'm obliged to your ladyship. Our meeting will be a tender scene, no doubt on't. Lady Lamb. But I think I hear the doctor coming up stairs. My dear girl, at any rate keep your temper. I shall expect you in my dressing-room, to tell me the particulars of your conduct. [Exit. Charl. He must have a great deal of impudence, to come in this manner to me. Enter Doctor CANTWELL, and BETTY introducing him. Betty. Doctor Cantwell desires to be admitted, madam. Charl. Let him come in.-Your servant, sir.Give us chairs, Betty, and leave the room.-[Exit Betty.]-Sir, there's a seat. -What can the ugly cur say to me! he seems a little puzzled. [Humming a tune. Dr. Cant. Look ye, young lady, I am afraid, notwithstanding your good father's favour, I am not the man you would desire to be alone with upon this occasion. Charl. Your modesty is pleased to be in the right. Dr. Cant. I'm afraid too, notwithstanding ali my endeavours to the contrary, that you entertain a pretty bad opinion of me. Charl. A worse, sir, of no mortal breathing! Dr. Cant. I am afraid then, it will be a vain pur suit when I solicit you, in compliance with my worthy friend's desire, and my own inclinations, to become my partner in that blessed estate, in which we may be a comfort and support to each other. Charl. I would die rather than consent to it. Charl. Most transcendently! Dr. Cant. Well, there is sincerity, at least, in your confession you are not, I see, totally deprived of all virtue; though, I must say, I never could peryou but very little. ceive in Charl. Oh, fy! you flatter me! Dr. Cant. No; I speak it with sorrow, because |