you are the daughter of my best friend. But how are we to proceed now ? are we to preserve temper ?

Charl. Oh! never fear me, sir; I shall not fly out, being convinced that nothing gives so sharp a point to one's aversion as good breeding; as, on the contrary, ill manners often hide a secret inclination.

Dr. Cant. Well then, young lady, be assured, so far am I from the unchristian disposition of returning injuries, that your antipathy to me causes no hatred in my soul towards you; on the contrary, I would willingly make you happy, if it may be done according to my conscience, with the interest of Heaven in view.

Charl. Why, I cann't see, sir, how Heaven can be any way concerned in a transaction between you and me.

Dr. Cant. When you marry any other person, my consent is necessary.

Charl. So I hear, indeed! -but pray, doctor, how could your modesty receive so insolent a power, without putting my poor father out of countenance with your blushes?

Dr. Cant. I sought it not; but he would crowd it in among other obligations. He is good-natured; and I foresaw it might serve to pious purposes. Charl. I don't understand you.

Dr. Cant. I take it for granted that you would marry Mr. Darnley. Am I right?

Charl. Once in your life perhaps you may.
G

Dr. Cant. Nay, let us be plain. Would you marry

him?

Charl. You're mighty nice, methinks.-Well, I would.

Dr. Cant. Then I will not consent.

Charl. You won't?

Dr. Cant. My conscience will not suffer me. I know you to be both luxurious and worldly-minded; and you would squander upon the vanities of the world those treasures which ought to be better laid

out.

Charl. Hum!-I believe I begin to conceive you.

Dr. Cant. If you can think of any project to satisfy my conscience, I am tractable. You know there is a considerable moiety of your fortune which goes to my lady in case of our disagreement.

Charl. That's enough, sir.-You think we should have a fellow-feeling in it. At what sum do you rate your concurrence to my inclinations? that settled, I am willing to strike the bargain.

Dr. Cant. What do you think of half ?
Charl. How! two thousand pounds!

Dr. Cant. Why, you know you gain two thousand pounds; and really the severity of the times for the poor, and my own stinted pittance, which cramps my charities, will not suffer me to require less.

Charl. But how is my father to be brought into this?

Dr. Cant. Leave that to my management.

Charl. And what security do you expect for the money?

Dr. Cant. Oh! Mr. Darnley is wealthy: when I deliver my consent in writing, he shall lay it down to me in bank bills.

Charl. Pretty good security !.

though.

Dr. Cant. Name it.

On one proviso

Charl. That you immediately tell my father that you are willing to give up your interest to Mr. Darnley.

Dr. Cant. Hum l-stay-I agree to it; but in the mean time, let me warn you, child, not to expect to turn that, or what has now passed between us, to my confusion, by sinister construction, or evil representation to your father. I am satisfied of the piety of my own intentions, and care not what the wicked think of them; but force me not to take advantage of Sir John's good opinion of me, in order to shield myself from the consequences of your malice.

Charl. Oh I shall not stand in my own light: I know your conscience and your power too well, dear doctor!

Dr. Cant. Well, let your interest sway you. Thank Heaven, I am actuated by more worthy motives. Charl. No doubt on't.

Dr. Cant. Farewell, and think me your friend.

Enter Colonel LAMBERT.

[Exit.

Charl. What this fellow's original was, I know not;

but by his conscience and cunning he would make an admirable Jesuit.

Col. Lamb. Charlotte!

Charl. You may come in. Well, I hope you bring me a good account of the doctor.-What success?

Col. Lamb. All I could wish -Seyward has given so strong and so fair a detail of his frauds and villanies of every kind, that my Lord Chief Justice made not the least hesitation to grant his warrant; and I have a tipstaff at the next door, when I give the word to take him.

Charl. Why should you not do it immediately? Col. Lamb. Have a little patience; I have a farther design in my head.- But pray, sister, what secret's this that you have yet behind, in those writings that Seyward brought you?

Charl. Oh that's what I cann't tell you.-But, by the way, what have you done with Darnley: why is not he here?

Col. Lamb. He has been here; but you must excuse him. I told him how anxious you were about Seyward's affair, and he has taken him with him, in his own coach, to the Attorney General's.

Charl. Well, I own he has gained upon me by this. Col. Lamb. I am glad to hear that at last. But I must go and let my lady know what progress we have made in the doctor's business; because I have something particular to say to her.

Enter Servant.

Serv. Madam, Mr. Darnley.

[Exit.

Charl. Desire him to walk in.

[Exit Serv.

Enter DARNLEY.

Darn. To find you thus alone, madam, is an happiness I did not expect, from the temper of our last parting.

Charl. I should have been as well pleased now to have been thanked, as reproached, for my good. nature; but you will be in the right, I find.

Darn. Indeed, you take me wrong. I literally meant that I was afraid you would not so soon think I had deserved this favour.

Charl. Well then, one of us has been in the wrong, at least.

Darn. 'Twas I, I own it-more is not in my power: all the amends possible I have made you : my very joy of seeing you has waited, till what you had at heart, unasked, was perfected for a rival, whom you had so justly compassionated.

Charl. Pooh! but why would you say unasked now ? don't you consider your doing it so is half the merit of the action?-Lord! you have no art: you should have left me to have taken notice of that. Only imagine now, how kind and handsome an acknowledgment you have robbed me of.

Darn. And yet how artfully you have paid it. With what a wanton charming ease you play upon my tenderness !

Charl. Well, but were not you silly now?