Gib. Don Pedro de Mendosa !-Donna Violante, his daughter!-that's as reight as my leg now-Ise need na mare; I'll tak a drink, and then to my maister..

Ise bring him news will mak his heart full blee;
Gin he rewards it not, deel pimp for me.

[Exit.

ACT IV. SCENE 1.

VIOLANTE'S Lodgings.

Enter ISABELLA in a gay

temper, and VIOLANTE out of humour.

Isabella.

My dear! I have been seeking you this half hour, to tell you the most lucky adventure.

Vio. And you have pitched upon the most unlucky hour for it that you could possibly have found in the whole four-and-twenty.

Isab. Hang unlucky hours! I won't think of them; I hope all my misfortunes are past.

Vio. And mine all to come.

Isab. I have seen the man I like.

Vio. And I have seen the man that I could wish to hate.

sab. And you must assist me in discovering whether he can like me or not.

Vio. You have assisted me in such a discovery already, I thank ye.

Isab. What say you, my dear?

Vio. I say I am very unlucky at discoveries, Isabella; I have too lately made one pernicious to my ease; your brother is false.

Isab. Impossible!

Vio. Most true.

Isab. Some villain has traduc'd him to you.

Vio. No, Isabella; I love too well to trust the eyes of others; I never credit the ill-judging world, or form suspicions upon vulgar censures; no, I had ocular proof of his ingratitude.

Isab. Then I am most unhappy. My brother was the only pledge of faith betwixt us; if he has forfeited your favour, I have no title to your friendship.

Vio. You wrong my friendship, Isabella; your own merit entitles you to every thing within my power.

Isab. Generous maid!—But may I not know what grounds you have to think my brother false?

Vio. Another time.-But tell me, Isabella, how can I serve you ?

Isab. Thus then-The gentleman that brought me hither I have seen and talk'd with upon the Terriero de passa this morning, and I find him a man of sense, generosity, and good humour; in short, he is every thing that I could like for a husband, and I have dispatch'd Mrs. Flora to bring him hither: I hope you'll forgive the liberty I have taken.

Vio. Hither to what purpose?

Isab. To the great universal purpose, matrimony. Vio. Matrimony! why, do you design to ask him ?

Isab. No, Violante, you must do that for me.

Vio. I thank you for the favour you design me, but desire to be excus'd: I manage my own affairs too ill to be trusted with those of other people; "be"sides, if my father should find a stranger here, it "might make him hurry me into a monastery im"mediately." I cann't for my life admire your conduct, to encourage a person altogether unknown to you. 'Twas very imprudent to meet him this morning, but much more so to send for him hither, know. ing what inconveniency you have already drawn up

on me.

Isab. I am not insensible how far my misfortunes have embarrass'd you; and, if you please, sacrifice my quiet to your own.

Vio. Unkindly urg'd !-Have I not preferr'd your happiness to every thing that's dear to me?

Isab. I know thou hast-then do not deny me this last request, when a few hours, perhaps, may render my condition able to clear thy fame, and bring my brother to thy feet for pardon.

Vio. I wish you don't repent of this intrigue. I suppose he knows you are the same woman that he brought in here last night.

Isab. Not a syllable of that; I met him veil'd, and to prevent his knowing the house, I ordered Mrs. Flora to bring him by the back-door into the garden.

Vio. The very way which Felix comes; if they should meet, there would be fine work.- -Indeed, my dear, I cann't approve of your design.

Enter FLORA.

Flo. Madam, the Colonel waits your pleasure. Vio. How durst you go upon such a message, mistress, without acquainting me?

Flo. So I am to be huff'd for every thing.

Isab. 'Tis too late to dispute that now, dear Violante; I acknowledge the rashness of the actionbut consider the necessity of my

deliverance.

Vio. That indeed is a weighty consideration: well, what am I to do?

Isab. In the next room I'll give you instructions.In the mean time, Mrs. Flora, shew the colonel into this.

[Exit Flora one way, and Isabella and Violante another.

Re-enter Flora with the Colonel.

Flo. The lady will wait on you presently, sir. [Exit.

Col. Very well-This is a very fruitful soil. I have not been here quite four-and-twenty hours, and I have three intrigues upon my hands already; but I hate the chase without partaking of the game. [Enter Violante veil'd.] Ha! a fine sized woman— pray Heaven she proves handsome-I am come to obey your ladyship's commands.

Vio. Are you sure of that, colonel ?

Col. If you be not very unreasonable indeed, madam. A man is but a man. [Takes her hand and kisses it.

Vio. Nay, we have no time for compliments, colonel.

Col. I understand you, madam-Montrez moi votre chambre. [Takes her in his arms. Vio. Nay, nay, hold, colonel; my bed-chamber is not to be enter'd without a certain purchase.

Col. Purchase! humph, this is some kept mistress, I suppose, who industriously lets out her leisure hours. [Aside.] Look ye, madam, you must consider we soldiers are not overstock'd with money-but we make ample satisfaction in love; we have a world of courage upon our hands now, you know-then pr'ythee use a conscience, and I'll try if my pocket can come up to your price.

Vio. Nay, don't give yourself the trouble of drawing your purse, Colonel, my design is levell'd at your person, if that be at your own disposal.

Col. Ay, that it is, faith, madam! and I'll settle it as firmly upon thee

Vio. As law can do it.

Col. Hang law in love affairs; thou shalt have right and title to it out of pure inclination.—A matrimonial hint again. "Gad, I fancy the women "have a project on foot to transplant the union into "Portugal." [side.

Vio. Then you have an aversion to matrimony, colonel. Did you never see a woman in all your travels that you could like for a wife?

Col. A very odd question.-Do you really expect that I should speak truth now?