Vio. I do, if you expect to be dealt with, colonel. Col. Why, then-Yes.

Vio. Is she in your country, or this?

Col. This is a very pretty kind of a catechism: "but I don't conceive which way it turns to edifica"tion." In this town, I believe, madam.

Vio. Her name is

Col. Ay, how is she called, madam?

Vio. Nay, I ask you that, sir.

Col. Oh, ho, why she is called

how is it you spell your name?

Pray, madam,

Vio. Oh, colonel, I am not the happy woman, nor do I wish it.

Col. No! I'm sorry for that.

What the devil

does she mean by all these questions? [Aside. Vio. Come, colonel, for once be sincere-perhaps

you may not repent it.

Col. This is like to be but a silly adventure, here's so much sincerity required. [Aside.] 'Faith, madam, I have an inclination to sincerity, but I'm afraid you'll call my manners in question.

Vio. Not at all: I prefer truth before compliment in this affair.

Col. Why then, to be plain with you, madam, a lady last night wounded my heart by a fall from a window, whose person I could be content to take, as my father took my mother, till death do us part————— but who she is, or how distinguished, whether maid, wife, or widow, I cann't inform you; perhaps you are she.

Vio. Not to keep you in suspense, I am not shebut I can give you an account of her. That lady is a maid of condition-has ten thousand pounds—and, if you are a single man, her person and fortune are at your service.

Col. I accept the offer with the highest transports; but say, my charming angel! art thou not she? [Offers to embrace her.] "This is a lucky ad"venture." [Aside.

Vio. Once again, colonel, I tell you I am not shebut at six this evening you shall find her on the Terriero de passa with a white handkerchief in her hand. Get a priest ready, and you know the rest.

Col. I shall infallibly observe your directions, madam.

Enter FLORA hastily, and whispers VIOLANTE, who starts, and seems surprised.

Vio. Ha! Felix crossing, say you? What shall I do

now?

Col. You seem surprised, madam.

Vio. Oh colonel, my father is coming hither-and if he finds you here, I am ruined.

Col. Odslife, madam, thrust me any where. Cann't I go out this way ?

Vio. No, no, no, he comes that way. How shall I prevent their meeting? Here, here, step into my bedchamber

Col. Oh, the best place in the world, madam !

Vio. And be still, as you value her you love. Don't stir till you've notice, as ever you hope to have her in your arms.

Col. On that condition, I'll not breathe. [Exit Co.

Enter FELIX.

Fel I wonder where this dog of a servant is all this while-But she is at home, I find-How coldly she regards mel -You look, Violante, as if the sight of me were troublesome to you.

Vio. Can I do otherwise, when you have the assurance to approach me after what I saw to-day?

Fel. Assurance! rather call it good-nature, after what I heard last night. But such regard to honour have I in my love to you, I cannot bear to be suspected, "nor suffer you to entertain false notions of my truth without endeavouring to convince you of my innocence;" so much good-nature have I more than you, Violante.

Pray give me leave to ask your woman one question: my man assures me she was the person you saw at my lodgings.

Flo. I confess it, madam, and ask your pardon. Vio. Impudent baggage not to undeceive me sooner what business could you have there?

Fel. Lissardo and she, it seems, imitate you and I.

Flo. I love to follow the example of my betters,

madam.

Fel. I hope I am justified

Vio. Since we are to part, Felix, there needs no justification.

Fel. Methinks you talk of parting as a thing indifferent to you. Can you forget how I have loved? Vio. I wish I could forget my own passion, I should with less concern remember yours. -But for mis

tress Flora

Fel. You must forgive her- -Must, did I say } I fear I have no power to impose, though the injury was done to me.

Vio. 'Tis harder to pardon an injury done to what we love, than to ourselves; but at your request, Felix, I do forgive her. Go watch my father, Flora, lest he should awake and surprise us.

Flo. Yes, madam.

[Exit Flora.

Fel. Dost thou then love me, Violante? Vio. What need of repetition from my tongue, when every look confesses what you ask?

Fel. Oh, let no man judge of love but those who feel it what wondrous magic lies in one kind look!

One tender word destroys a lover's rage, and melts his fiercest passion into soft complaint. Oh, the window, Violante! wouldst thou but clear that one suspicion !

Vio. Pr'ythee, no more of that, my Felix; a little time shall bring thee perfect satisfaction.

Fel. Well, Violante, on condition you think no more of a monastery, I'll wait with patience for this mighty secret.

Vio. Ah, Felix, love generally gets the better of re

ligion in us women.

Resolutions made in the heat

of passion ever dissolve upon reconciliation.

Enter FLORA hastily.

Flo. Oh madam, madam, madam! my lord your father has been in the garden, and locked the backdoor, and comes muttering to himself this way.

Vio. Then we are caught. Now, Felix, we are undone.

Fel. Heavens forbid! This is most unlucky. Let me step into your bed-chamber, he won't look under the bed; there I may conceal myself.

[Runs to the door, and pushes it open a little. Vio. My stars! if he goes in there, he'll find the colonel. No, no, Felix, that's no safe place: my father often goes thither, and should you cough or sneeze we are lost.

Fel. Either my eye deceived me, or I saw a man within; I'll watch him close.

Flo. Oh, invention, invention !—I have it, madam. Here, here, sir, off with your sword, and I'll fetch you a disguise. [Exit. Fel. She shall deal with the devil if she conveys

him out without my knowledge.

Vio. Bless me, how I tremble!

Enter FLORA with a Riding-hood.

Flo. Here, sir, put on this.

Fel. Ay, ay, any thing to avoid Don Pedro.

[She puts it on.