LEONTINE.

How! an offer of his own too.

not mean to deceive us.

OLIVIA.

Sure, he could

Depend upon his fincerity; he only mistook the defire for the power of ferving us. But let us think no more of it. I believe the poft-chaife is ready by this,

LANDLADY.

Not quite yet and, begging your ladyship's pardon, I don't think your ladyship quite ready for the post-chaife. The north road is a cold place, madam. I have a drop in the house of as pretty rafberry as ever was tipt over tongue. Just a thimble full to keep the wind off your ftomach. To be fure, the last couple we had here, they said it was a perfect nofegay. Ecod, I fent them both away as good natured-Up went the blinds, round went the wheels, and drive away post-boy, was the word,

Enter CROAKER.

CROAKER.

Well, while my friend Honeywood is upon the poft of danger at the bar, it must be my bufinefs to have an eye about me here. I think I know an incendiary's look; for, wherever the devil makes a purchase, he never fails to fet his mark. Ha! who have we here? My fon and daughter! What can

they be doing here!

LAND

LANDLADY.

I tell you, madam, it will do you good; I think I know by this time what's good for the north road. It's a raw night, madam.-Sir

LEONTINE.

Not a drop more, good madam. I should now take it as a greater favour, if you haften the horses, for I am afraid to be feen myself.

LANDLADY.

That fhall be done. Wha, Solomon! are you all dead there? Wha, Solomon, I fay! [Exit, bawling. OLIVIA.

Well! I dread, left an expedition begun in fear, fhould end in repentance.-Every moment we stay increases our danger, and adds to my apprehenfions.

LEONTINE.

There's no danger, truft me, my dear; there can be none: if Honeywood has acted with honour, and kept my father, as he promised, in employment till we are out of danger, nothing can interrupt our journey.

OLIVIA.

I have no doubt of Mr. Honeywood's fincerity, and even his defires to ferve us. My fears are from your father's fufpicions. A mind fo difpofed to be alarmed without a caufe, will be but too ready when there's a reafon.

LEONTINE.

Why, let him, when we are out of his power. But believe me, Olivia, you have no great reason to dread his refentment. His repining temper, as it does no manner of injury to himself, fo will it never do harm to others. He only frets to keep himself employed, and fcolds for his private amufement.

OLIVIA.

I don't know that; but, I'm fure, on fome occafions, it makes him look moft fhockingly.

CROAKER, difcovering himself.

How does he look now ?-How does he look now? OLIVIA.

How do I look now? Sir, I am your very humble fervant. Madam, I am yours. What, you are going off, are you? Then, firft, if you pleafe, take a word or two from me with you before you go. Tell me firft where you are going? and when you have told me that, perhaps, I fhall know as little as I did before.

LEONTINE.

If that be fo, our answer might but increase your difpleasure, without adding to your information. CROAKER.

I want no information from you, puppy: and you (A cry

too, good madam, what answer have you got? Eh!

(A cry without, ftop bim.) I think I heard a noife. My friend Honeywood without-has he feized the incendiary? Ah, no, for now I hear no more on't.

LEONTINE.

Honeywood without! Then, Sir, it was Mr. Honeywood that directed you hither.

CROAKER.

No, Sir, it was Mr. Honeywood conducted me hither.

Is it poffible?

LEONTINE.

CROAKER.

Poffible! Why, he's in the houfe now, Sir: more anxious about me, than my own fon, Sir.

of

LEONTINE.

Then, Sir, he's a villain.

CROAKER.

How, firrah! a villain, because he takes most care your father? I'll not bear it. I tell you I'll not bear it. Honeywood is a friend to the family, and I'll have him treated as fuch.

LEONTINE.

I shall study to repay his friendship as it deferves. CROAKER.

Ah, rogue, if you knew how earnestly he entered into my griefs, and pointed out the means to detect them, you would love him as I do. (A cry without, fiop him.) Fire and fury! they have feized the in

cendiary

cendiary they have the villain, the incendiary in view. Stop him! ftop an incendiary! a murderer; ftop him!

OLIVIA.

[Exit.

Oh, my terrors! What can this new tumult mean?

LEONTINE.

Some new mark, I fuppofe, of Mr. Honeywood's fincerity. But we shall have fatisfaction: he shall give me inftant fatisfaction.

OLIVIA.

It must not be, my Leontine, if you value my efteem or my happiness. Whatever be our fate, let us not add guilt to our misfortunes-Confider that our innocence will shortly be all we have left us. You must forgive him.

LEONTINE.

Forgive him! Has he not in every inftance betrayed us? Forced me to borrow money from him, which appears a mere trick to delay us: promised to keep my father engaged till we were out of danger, and here brought him to the very scene of our escape ?

OLIVIA.

Don't be precipitate. We may yet be mistaken.

Enter