"be not angry, I say, if" I have also charity enough to hope you may yet be deceived in what you charge him with, till the evidence of my own senses assure me of the contrary.

Lady Lamb. 'Tis just.

Sir J. Lamb. Hark! I think I hear him coming. Lady Lamb. Now, my dear, remember your promise to have patience.

Sir J. Lamb. Rely upon't.

Lady Lamb. To your post then.

"Sir J. Lamb. If this be truth, what will the world

come to !"

[Sir John goes behind.

Enter Doctor CANTWELL, with a Book.

Dr. Cant. Madam, your woman tells me, that being here, and alone, you desired to speak with me.

Lady Lamb. I did, sir-but, that we may be sure that we are alone, pray shut the outward door, "and "see that the passage be clear too."-Another surprise might ruin us-is all safe?

Dr. Cant. I have taken care, madam.

Lady Lamb. But I'm afraid I interrupt your meditations.

Dr. Cant. No, madam, no; I was only looking over some pious exhortations here, for the use of a society of chosen brethren.

Lady Lamb. Ah, doctor! what have you done to me? the trouble of my mind since our last unfortunate conference, is not to be expressed. You indeed discovered to me, what, perhaps, for my own

peace, 'twere better I had never been acquainted with; but I had not sufficient time to lay my heart open to you.

Dr. Cant. Whither, madam, would you lead me?

Lady Lamb. I have been uneasy, too, not knowing how far you might mistake my behaviour on the last accident that happened; but I was really so shocked, so terrified, I knew not what I was doing: only had I joined in your defence against the colonel, it would have been evident that I was his enemy, and I have uses for his friendship. Silence, therefore, was my only prudent part; and I knew your credit with Sir John needed no support.

Dr. Cant. Let me presume then to hope, that what I did, you judge was self-defence, and pure necessity.

Lady Lamb. And perhaps, after all, the accident was lucky; for Sir John, in order to obviate any ill constructions that may be put upon it, insists now that we should be more together, to let the world see his confidence in us both. This relieves us from restraint, and I now dare tell you-but no-I won't

Dr. Cant. But why, madam ? -Let me beseech you

me

Lady Lamb. No-besides—what need you ask

Dr. Cant. Ahl do not endeavour to decoy my foolish heart, too apt to flatter itself. You cannot, sure, think kindly of me?

Lady Lamb. Well, well, I would have you ima gine so.

Dr. Cant. Besides, may I not with reason suspect that this apparent goodness is but artifice, a shadow of compliance, meant only to persuade me from your daughter.

Lady Lamb. Methinks this doubt of me seems rather founded on your settled resolution not to resign her.'Tis she, I find, is your substantial happiness.

Dr. Cant. Oh, that you could but fear I thought so! Lady Lamb. I am convinced of it. I can assure you, sir, I should have saved you this trouble, had I known how deeply you were engaged to her.

Dr. Cant. Tears-then I must believe you-but indeed you wrong me. To prove my innocence, it is not an hour since I pressed Sir John to give Charlotte to young Darnley.

Lady Lamb. Mere artifice. You knew that modest resignation would make Sir John warmer in your in

terest.

Dr. Cant. No, indeed, indeed. I had other motives, which you may hereafter be made acquainted with, and will convince you

Lady Lamb. Well, sir, now I'll give you reason to guess the reason why, at our last meeting, I pressed you so warmly to resign Charlotte.

Dr. Cant. Ah dear! ah dear!

Lady Lamb. You cannot blame me for having op

posed your happiness, when my own, perhaps, depended upon it.

Dr. Cant. Spare me, spare me; you kill me with this kindness.

Lady Lamb. But, now, that I have discovered my weakness, be secret; for the least imprudence

Dr. Cant. It is a vain fear.

Lady Lamb. Call it not vain: my reputation is dearer to me than life.

Dr. Cant. Where can it find so sure a guard? the grave austerities of my life will dumb-found suspicion, and yours may defy detraction.

Lady Lamb. Well, doctor, 'tis you must answer for my folly.

Dr. Cant. I take it all upon myself. Heaven, 'tis true, forbids certain gratifications; but there are ways of reconcilement, and laying the fears of a too scrupulous conscience.

Lady Lamb. Every way, I perceive, you are deter.. mined to get the better of me; but there's one thing still to be afraid of.

Dr. Cant. Nothing, nothing.

Lady Lamb. My husband, Sir John.

Dr. Cant. Alas, poor man, I will answer for him. Between ourselves, madam, your husband is weak; I can lead him by the nose any where.

Enter Sir JOHN LAMBERT.

Sir J. Lamb. No, caitiff, I'm to be led no farther. Dr. Cant. Ah! woman.

I

Sir J. Lamb. Is this your sanctity, this your doctrine, these your meditations?

Dr. Cant. Is then my brother in a conspiracy against

me?

Sir. J. Lamb. Your brother! I have been your friend, indeed, to my shame; your dupe; but your spell has lost its hold: no more canting; it will not serve your turn any longer.

Lady Lamb. Now Heaven be praised.

Dr. Cant. It seems you wanted an excuse to part with me.

Get

Sir J. Lamb. Ungrateful wretch! but why do I reproach you? Had I not been the weakest of mankind, you never could have proved so great a villain. out of my sight; leave my house of all my follies, which is it tells you, that if you stay much longer, I shall not be tempted to wrest you out of the hands of the law, and punish you as you deserve ?

Dr. Cant. Well, but first let me ask you, sir, who it is you menace? Consider your own condition, and where you are.

Sir J. Lamb. What would the villain drive at?— leave me I forgive you but once more I tell you, seek some other place-out of my house!This instant be gone, and see my shameful face no

more.

Dr. Cant. Nay, then, 'tis my duty to exert myself, and let you know that I am master here. Turn you out, sir; this house is mine: and now, sir, at your peril, dare to insult me.