HUMPHREY. That's the door, sir; I wish you success.- (While HUMPHREY speaks, SEALAND consults his table book.) - [Aside] I am less concerned what happens there, because I hear Mr. Myrtle is well lodged as old Sir Geoffry. So I am willing to let this gentleman employ himself here, to give them time at home; for I am sure 'tis necessary for the quiet of our family Lucinda were disposed of out of it, since Mr. Bevil's inclination is so much otherwise engaged.

ISABELLA. What anxiety do I feel for this poor creature! What will be the end of her? Such a languishing, unreserved passion for a man that at last must certainly leave or ruin her-and perhaps both! Then the aggravation of the distress is, that she does not believe he will not but, I must own, if they are both what they would seem, they are made for one another as much as Adam and Eve were, for there is no other of their kind but themselves.

Enter Boy

-So, Daniel! what news with you?

11

ISABELLA. (Apart) Twenty years, it seems, have less effect in the alteration of a man of thirty than of a girl of fourteen-he's almost still the same. But alas! I find by other men, as well as himself, I am not what I was. As soon as he spoke, I was convinced 'twas he. How shall I contain my surprise and satisfaction! He must not know me yet.

MR. SEALAND. Madam, I hope I don't give you any disturbance, but there is a young lady here with whom I have a particular business to discourse, and I hope she will admit me to that favor.

47

ISABELLA. Well, sir! you shall see her.(Aside) I find he knows nothing yet, nor shall from me. I am resolved I will observe this interlude-this sport of nature and of fortune.- You shall see her presently, sir, for now I am as a mother, and will trust her with you. Exit 59

MR. SEALAND. As a mother! right; that's the old phrase for one of those commode ladies, who lend out beauty for hire to young gentlemen that have pressing occasions.But here comes the precious lady herself. In troth, a very sightly woman

Enter INDIANA

65

INDIANA. I am told, sir, you have some affair that requires your speaking with me. MR. SEALAND. Yes, madam, there came to my hands a bill drawn by Mr. Bevil, which

MR. SEALAND. Bounty! when gluttons give high prices for delicates, they are prodigious bountiful.

INDIANA. Still, still you will persist in that error. But my own fears tell me all. You are the gentleman, I suppose, for whose happy daughter he is designed a husband by his good father, and he has, perhaps, consented to the overture. He was here this morning, dressed beyond his usual plainness -nay, most sumptuously-and he is to be, perhaps, this night a bridegroom.

143

INDIANA. His actions, sir, his eyes, have only made me think he designed to make me the partner of his heart. The goodness and gentleness of his demeanor made me misinterpret all. 'Twas my own hope, my own passion, that deluded me; he never made one amorous advance to me. His large heart and bestowing hand have only helped the miserable; nor know I why, but from his mere delight in virtue, that I have been his care and the object on which to indulge and please himself with pouring favors.

161

MR. SEALAND. Madam, I know not why it is, but I, as well as you, am methinks afraid of entering into the matter I came about: but 'tis the same thing as if we had talked never so distinctly-he ne'er shall have a daughter of mine.

167

INDIANA. If you say this from what you think of me, you wrong yourself and him. Let not me, miserable though I may be, do injury to my benefactor. No, sir, my treatment ought rather to reconcile you to his virtues. If to bestow without a prospect of return; if to delight in supporting what might, perhaps, be thought an object of desire, with ✓ no other view than to be her guard against those who would not be so disinterestedif these actions, sir, can in a careful parent's eye commend him to a daughter, give yours, sir-give her to my honest, generous Bevil! What have I to do but sigh, and weep, and rave, run wild, a lunatic in chains, or, hid in darkness, mutter in distracted starts and broken accents my strange, strange story!

MR. SEALAND. Take comfort, madam. INDIANA. All my comfort must be to expostulate in madness, to relieve with frenzy my despair, and shrieking to demand of fate whywhy was I born to such variety of sorrows.

MR. SEALAND. If I have been the least occasion

191

INDIANA. Alas, too well! Oh, could I be any other thing than what I am I'll tear away all traces of my former self, my little ornaments, the remains of my first state, the hints of what I ought to have been

(In her disorder she throws away a bracelet, which SEALAND takes up, and looks earnestly on it)

MR. SEALAND. Ha! what's this? My eyes are not deceived! - It is, it is the same! the very bracelet which I bequeathed to my wife at our last mournful parting!

232