Flo. My stars, my lady here! [Shuts the press close. Fel. If your visit was designed to Frederick, madam, he is abroad.

Vio. No, sir, the visit is to you.

Fel. You are very punctual in your ceremonies, madam.

Vio. Though I did not come to return your visit, but to take that which your civility ought to have brought me.

Fel. If my eyes, my ears, and my understanding ly'd, then I am in your debt; else not, madam. Vio. I will not charge them with a term so gross, to say they ly'd; but call it a any thing to excuse my Felix.could I put off my pride so far,

mistake, nay, call it -Could I, think ye, poorly to dissemble or seek a reconcili

a passion which I did not feel, ation with what I did not love?- "Do but consi"der, if I had entertained another, should not I ra"ther embrace this quarrel, pleased with the occasion "that rid me of your visits, and gave me freedom "to enjoy the choice which you think I have made? "Have I any interest in thee but my love? or am I "bound by aught but inclination to submit and "follow thee?"No law, whilst single, binds us to obey-but your sex are, “by nature and "education," obliged to pay a deference to all womankind.

Fel. These are fruitless arguments. 'Tis most certain thou wert dearer to these eyes than all that

Heaven e'er gave to charm the sense of man; but I would rather tear them out than suffer them to delude my reason and enslave my peace.

Vio. Can you love without esteem? and where is the esteem for her you still suspect? Oh, Felix, there is a delicacy in love, which equals even a religious faith! True love never doubts the object it adores, and sceptics there will disbelieve their sight.

Fel. Your notions are too refined for mine, madam.

Enter VASQUEZ.

How now, sirrah, what do you want?

Vasq. Only my master's cloak out of this press, sir,

that's all.

Fel. Make haste, then.

Vasq. [Opens the press, sees Flora, and roars out.]— Oh, the devil, the devil!

[Exit.

Flo. Discovered !-nay, then legs befriend me.

[Runs out.

Vio. Ha! a woman concealed! very well, Felix. Fel. A woman in the press!

Enter LISSARDO.

How the devil came a woman there, sirrah ?

Liss. What shall I say now?

Vio. Now, Lissardo, shew your wit to bring your master off.

Liss. Off, madam-Nay, nay, nay, there, there needs no great wit to, to, to bring him off, madam;

for she did, and she did not come, as, as, as, a, a, a, man may say directly to, to, to, to, to speak with my master, madam.

Vio. I see by your stammering, Lissardo, that your invention is at a very low ebb.

Fel. 'Sdeath! rascal, speak without hesitation, and the truth too, or I shall stick my spado in your guts. Vio. No, no, your master mistakes; he would not have you speak the truth.

Fel. Madam, my sincerity wants no excuse.

Liss. I am so confounded between one and the other, that I cann't think of a lie.

[Aside. Fel. Sirrah, fetch me this woman back instantlyI'll know what business she has here.

Vio. Not a step; your master shall not be put to the blush.- -Come, a truce, Felix. Do you ask me no more questions about the window, and I'll forgive this.

Fel. I scorn forgiveness where I own no crime ;but your soul, conscious of its guilt, would fain lay hold of this occasion, to blend your treason with my innocence.

Vio. Insolent!-Nay, if instead of owning your fault, you endeavour to insult my patience, I must tell you, sir, you don't behave yourself like that man of honour you would be taken for; you ground your quarrel with me upon your own inconstancy; 'tis plain you are false yourself, and would make me the aggressor. It was not for nothing the fellow opposed my entrance. -This last usage has given

A& III. me back my liberty, and now my father's will shall be obeyed without the least reluctance; and so your [Exit.

servant.

Fel. Oh, stubborn, stubborn heart, what wilt thou do - -Her father's will shall be obeyed !Ha! that carries her to a cloister, and cuts off all my hopes at once.- -By Heaven, she shall not, must not leave me.—No, she is not false at least my love now represents her true,-because I fear to lose. her. -Ha! villain, art thou here?—[Turns upon Lissardo. Tell me this moment who this woman was, and for what intent she was here concealed- -or

Liss. Ay, good sir! forgive me, and I'll tell you the whole truth. [Falls on his knees.

Fel. Out with it, then

Liss. It, it, it was Mrs. Flora, sir, Donna Violante's woman. You must know, sir, we have had a sneaking kindness for one another a great whileshe was not willing you should know it; so when she heard your voice, she ran into the clothes-press. I would have told you this at first, but I was afraid of her lady's knowing it. This is the truth, as I hope for a whole skin, sir.

Fel. If it be not, I'll not leave you a whole bone in it, sirrah.- -Fly, and observe if Violante goes directly home.

Liss. Yes, sir, yes.

Fel. Fly, you dog, fly.-[Exit Lissardo.]—I must convince her of my faith. Oh, how irresolute is a

lover's heart! - "My resentments cooled when "hers grew high-nor can I struggle longer with 66 my fate; I cannot quit her, no, I cannot, so abso"lute a conquest has she gained.”- -How absolute

a woman's power!

In vain we strive their tyranny to quit,

In vain we struggle, for we must submit.

The Terriero de Passa.

SCENE IV.

[Exit.

Enter Colonel, and ISABELLA

veiled. GIBBY at a distance.

Col. Then you say it is impossible for me to wait on you home, madam ì

Isab. I say it is inconsistent with my circumstances, colonel- and that way impossible for me to admit

of it.

Col. Consent to go with me, then.

-I lodge at one Don Frederick's, a merchant, just by here.He is a very honest fellow, and I dare confide in his secrecy.

Isab. Ha! does he lodge there?—Pray Heaven I am not discovered. [Aside. Col. What say you, my charmer?-shall we breakfast together? I have some of the best tea in the universe.

Isab. Puh! tea! is that the best treat you can give a lady at your lodgings, colonel?

Col. Well hinted—No, no, no, I have other things at thy service, child.