Fred. Explain yourself, my lord, I am not con. scious of any dishonourable action to any man, much less to your lordship.

Lop. 'Tis false; you have debauch'd my daughter. "Fel. Debauch'd my sister! impossible! he could "not, durst not, be that villain."

Fred. My lord, I scorn so foul a charge.

Lop. You have debauch'd her duty at least, therefore instantly restore her to me, or by St. Anthony I'll make you.

Fred. Restore her, my lord! where shall I find her? Lop. I have those that will swear she is here in your house.

"Fel. Hal in this house!"

Fred. You are misinform'd, my lord! Upon my reputation I have not seen Donna Isabella since the absence of Don Felix.

Lop. Then pray, sir-if I am not too inquisitive, what motive had you for those objections you made against her marriage with Don Guzman yesterday?

Fred. The disagreeableness of such a match, I fear'd, would give your daughter cause to curse her duty if she comply'd with your demands; that was all, my lord.

Lop. And so you help'd her thro' the window, to make her disobey.

"Fel. Ha, my sister gone! Oh, scandal to our "blood!"

Fred. This is insulting me, my lord, when I assure you I have neither seen nor know any thing of your

daughter. If she is gone, the contrivance was her own, and you may thank your rigour for it.

Lop. Very well, sir; however, my rigour shall make bold to search your house. Here, call in the Alguazil

Flo. [peeping.] The Alguazil! What in the name of wonder will become of me?

Fred. The Alguazil! My lord, you'll repent this.

Enter Alguazil, and Attendants.

Lop. No, sir, 'tis you that will repent it. I charge you in the king's name to assist me in finding my daughter.—Be sure you leave no part of the house unsearched. Come, follow me.

[Gets towards the door where Felix is: Frederick

draws, and plants himself before the door.] Fred. Sir, I must first know by what authority you pretend to search my house before you enter here.

Alg. How, sir! dare you presume to draw your sword upon the representative of majesty? I am, sir, I am his majesty's alguazil, and the very quintessence of authority-therefore put up your sword, or I shall order you to be knocked down-for know, sir, the breath of an alguazil is as dangerous as the breath of a demi-culverin.

Lop. She is certainly in that room, by his guarding the door. If he disputes your authority, knock him down, I say.

Fred. I shall shew you some sport first. The wo

E

man you look for is not here; but there is something in this room which I'll preserve from your sight at the hazard of my life.

Lop. Enter, I say; nothing but my daughter can be there.-Force his sword from him.

[Felix comes out, and joins Frederick. Fel. Villains, stand off! assassinate a man in his own house!

Lop. Oh, oh, oh, misericordia! what do I see? my

son I

Alg. Ha, his son! Here's five hundred pounds good, my brethren, if Antonio dies; and that's in the surgeon's power-and he's in love with my daughter, you know so seize him. "Don Felix, I com

"mand you to surrender yourself into the hands of "justice, in order to raise me and my posterity; and "in consideration you lose your head to gain me five "hundred pounds, I'll have your generosity re"corded on your tombstone-at my own proper cost "and charge-I hate to be ungrateful."

Lop. Hold, hold! Oh that ever I was born!

Fred. Did I not tell you you would repent, my lord What, hoa! within there.

Enter Servants.

Arm yourselves, and let not a man in nor out but Felix.

Fel. Generous Frederick!

Fred. Look ye, alguazil, when you would betray

my friend for filthy lucre, I shall no more regard you as an officer of justice, but as a thief and robber thus resist you.

Fel. Come on, sir, we'll shew you play for the five hundred pounds.

"Alg. Fall on, seize the money, right or wrong, "( ye rogues." [They fight.

Lop. Hold, hold, alguazil, I'll give you the five hundred pounds, that is, my bond to pay upon Antonio's death, and twenty pistoles, however things go, for you and these honest fellows to drink my health.

Alg. Say you so, my lord? Why, look ye, my lord, I bear the young gentleman no ill will, my lord. If I get but the five hundred pounds, my lord-why, look ye, my lord-'tis the same thing to me, whether your son be hanged or not, my lord.

Fel. Scoundrels !

Lop. Ay, well, thou art a good-natured fellow, that's the truth on't.-Come then, we'll to the tavern, and sign and seal this minute. Oh, Felix! why wouldst thou serve me thus ?— -But I cannot upbraid thee now, nor have I time to talk. Be careful of thyself, or thou wilt break my heart.

[Exeunt Lopez, Alguazil, and Attendants. Fel. Now, Frederick, though I ought to thank you for your care of me, yet till I am satisfied as to my father's accusation, for I overheard it all, I cann't return the acknowledgments I owe you. Know you aught relating to my sister?

Fred. I hope my faith and truth are known to

you-and here by both I swear, I am ignorant of every thing relating to your father's charge.

Fel. Enough, I do believe thee. Oh Fortune! where will thy malice end?

Enter VASQUEZ.

Vasq. Sir, I bring you joyful news.

Fel. What's the matter?

Vasq. I am told that Don Antonio is out of danger, and now in the palace.

Fel. I wish it be true; then I'm at liberty to watch my rival, and pursue my sister. Pr'ythee, Frederick, inform thyself of the truth of this report.

Fred. I will, this minute. —Do you hear, let nobody in to Don Felix till my return.

Vasq. I'll observe, sir.

[Exit. [Exit.

Flo. [Peeping.] They have almost frighted me out of my wits, I'm sure. -Now Felix is alone, I have a good mind to pretend I came with a message from my lady; but how then shall I say I came into the cupboard?

Enter VASQUEZ, seeming to oppose the entrance of somebody.

Vasq. I tell you, madam, Don Felix is not here. Vio. [Within.] I tell you, sir, he is here, and I will see him.

Fel. What noise is that?

Vio. [Breaking in.] You are as difficult of access, sir, as a first minister of state.