Mr. H. The world, by what I learn, is no stranger to your generosity. But where does this tend?

Lofty. To nothing; nothing in the world. The town, to be sure, when it makes such a thing as me the subject of conversation, has asserted, that I never yet patronized a man of merit.

Mr. H. I have heard instances to the contrary, even from yourself.

Lofty. Yes, Honeywood, and there are instances to the contrary, that you shall never hear from myself.

Mr. H. Ha, dear sir, permit me to ask you but one question.

Lofty. Sir, ask me no questions;-I say, sir, ask me no questions-I'll be damned if I answer them.

Mr. H. I will ask no further. My friend, my benefactor, it is, it must be here, that I am indebted for freedom-for honour. Yes, thou worthiest of men, from the beginning I suspected it, but was afraid to return thanks; which, if undeserved, might seem reproaches.

Lofty. I protest, I don't understand all this, Mr. Honeywood. You treat me very cavalierly. I do assure you, sir.-Blood, sir! can't a man be permitted to enjoy the luxury of his own feelings, without all this parade?

Mr. H. Nay, do not attempt to conceal an action that adds to your honour. Your looks, your air, your manner, all confess it.

Lofty. Confess it, sir! Torture itself, sir, shall never bring me to confess it. Mr. Honeywood, I have admitted you upon terms of friendship-Don't let us fall out; make me happy, and let this be buried in oblivion. You know I hate ostentation-you know I do.

Mr. H. Heavens! Can I ever repay such friendship? Is there any way?-Thou best of men, can I ever return the obligation?

Lofty. A bagatelle, a mere bagatelle.--But I see your heart is labouring to be grateful.-You shall be grateful. It would be cruel to disappoint you.

Mr. H. How? Teach me the manner.-Is there any way?

Lofty. From this moment you are mine. Yes, my friend, you shall know it-I'm in love.

Mr. H. And can I assist you?

Lofty. Nobody so well.

Mr. H. In what manner ?—I'm all impatience.
Lofty. You shall make love for me.

Mr. H. And to whom shall I speak in your favour?

Lofty. To a lady with whom you have great interest, I assure you.-Miss Richland.

Mr. H. Miss Richland!

Lofty. Yes, Miss Richland. She has struck the blow up to the hilt in my bosom, by Jupiter.

Mr. H. Heavens! was ever any thing more unfortunate! It is too much to be endured!

Lofty. Unfortunate indeed! And yet I can endure it, till you have opened the affair to her, for me. tween ourselves, I think she likes me. I'm not apt to

boast, but I think she does.

Be

Mr. H. Indeed! But do you know the person you apply to?

Lofty. Yes, I know you are her friend and mine-that's enough. To you, therefore, I commit the success of my passion.-I'll say no more, let friendship do the rest. I have only to add, that, if at any time, my little interest can be of servicehang it, I'll make no promises; you know my interest is yours, at any time.-No apologies, - my friend, I'll not be answered-It shall be so. [Exit.

but

Mr. H. Open, generous, unsuspecting man! He little thinks that I love her too; and with such an ardent passion!-But then, it was ever but a vain and hopeless one-my torment, my persecution! What

shall I do?-Love, friendship, a hopeless passion, a deserving friend!-It shall be so.-Yes, I will discard the fondling hope from my bosom, and exert all my influence in his favour. And yet to see her in the possession of another!-Insupportable. But then to betray a generous, trusting friend !-Worse, worse.→ Yes, I'm resolved. Let me but be the instrument of their happiness, and then quit a country, where I must for ever despair of finding my own.

[Exit. Enter OLIVIA and GARNET, who carries a Milliner's Bex.

Olivia. Dear me, I wish this journey were over. No news of Jarvis, yet? I believe the old peevish creature delays purely to vex me.

Gar. Why, to be sure, madam, I did hear him say, a little snubbing before marriage, would teach you to bear it the better afterwards.

Olivia. To be gone a full hour, though he had only to get a bill changed in the city! How provoking! Gar. I'll lay my life, Mr. Leontine, that had twice as much to do, is setting off, by this time, from his inn; and here you are left behind!

Olivia. Well, let us be prepared for his coming, however. Are you sure you have omitted nothing, Garnet?

Gar. Not a stick, madam-all's here.-Yet I wish you could take the white and silver to be married in.

It's the worst luck in the world in any thing but white.—I knew one Bett Stubbs, of our town, that was married in red; and, as sure as eggs is eggs, the bridegroom and she had a miff before morning.

Olivia. No matter.-I'm all impatience till we are out of the house.

Gar. Bless me, madam, I had almost forgot the wedding-ring! The sweet little thing!-I don't think it would go on my little finger. And what if I put in

a gentleman's night-cap, in case of necessity, madam? But here's Jarvis.

Enter JARVIS.

Olivia. O Jarvis! are you come at last? We have been ready this half hour. Now let's be going-Let us fly.

Jarcis. Ay, to Jericho; for we shall have no going to Scotland this bout, I fancy.

Olivia. How! What's the matter?

Jarvis. Money, money is the matter, madam. We have got no money. What the plague do you send me of your fool's errand for? My master's bill upon the city is not worth a rush.-Here it is-Mrs. Garnet may pin up her hair with it.

Olivia. Undone! How could Honeywood serve us so?-What shall we do!-Can't we go without it?

Jarvis. Go to Scotland without money!-To Scotland without money! Lord, how some people understand geography! We might as well set sail for Patagonia upon a cork-jacket.

Olivia. Such a disappointment! What a base insincere man was your master, to serve us in this manner! Is this his good nature?

Jarvis. Nay, don't talk ill of my master, madam. I won't bear to hear any body talk ill of him but myself.

Gar. Bless us! now I think on't, madam, you need not be under any uneasiness: I saw Mr. Leontine receive forty guineas from his father, just before he set out, and he can't yet have left the inn. A short letter will reach him there.

Olivia. Well remembered, Garnet;- I'll write immediately.-How's this?-Bless me, my hand trembles so, I can't write a word.-Do you write, Garnet; and, upon second thought, it will be better from you.

Gar. Truly, madam, I write and indite but poorly.

I never was kute at my larning. But I'll do what I can to please you.-Let me see.-All out of my own head, I suppose?

Olivia. Whatever you please.

Gar. [Writing.] Muster Croaker-Twenty guineas,

madam?

- Olivia. Ay, twenty will do.

Gar. At the bar of the Talbot till called for.-Expedition-Will be blown up-All of a flame-Quick, despatch-Cupid, the little god of love--I conclude it, madam, with Cupid; I love to see a love-letter end like poetry.

Olivia. Well, well, what you please, any thing. But how shall we send it? I can trust none of the servants of this family.

Gar. Odso, madam, Mr. Honeywood's butler is in the next room ;-he's a dear sweet man ;-he'll do any thing for me.

Jarvis. He! the dog-he'll certainly commit some blunder. He's drunk and sober ten times a day.

Olivia. No matter-Fly, Garnet; any body we can trust will do. [Exit GARNET.] Well, Jarvis, now we can have nothing more to interrupt us. You may take up the things, and carry them on to the inn. Have you no hands, Jarvis ?

Jarvis. Soft and fair, young lady. You, that are going to be married, think things can never be done too fast but we, that are old, and know what we are about, must elope methodically, madam.

Olivia. Well, sure, if my indiscretions were to be done over again

Jarvis. My life for it, you would do them ten times over.

Olivia. Why will you talk so? If you knew how unhappy they make me

Jarvis. Very unhappy, no doubt: I was once just as unhappy when I was going to be married myself, I'll tell you a story about that