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Lord T. Sir Paul, if you please we'll retire prehend.-Take it t'other way: suppose I say to the ladies, and drink a dish of tea to settle a witty thing to you. our heads.

Sir P. With all my heart.-Mr. Brisk, you'll come to us or call me when you're going to joke: I'll be ready to laugh incontinently. [Exeunt Lord Touchwood and Sir Paul Pliant.

Mel. But does your lordship never see comedies?

Lord F. O yes, sometimes; but I never laugh.
Mel. No!

Lord F. Oh no-Never laugh, indeed, sir.
Care. No! why what d'ye go there for?
Lord F. To distinguish myself from the
commonality, and mortify the poets; the fel-
lows grow so conceited when any of their
foolish wit prevails upon the side boxes!
I swear-he, he, he-I have often constrain'd
my inclinations to laugh-he, he, he-to avoid
giving them encouragement.

Mel. You are cruel to yourself, my lord,

as well as malicious to them.

Lord F. I confess I did myself some violence at first; but now I think I have conquered it. Brisk. Let me perish, my lord, but there is something very particular and novel in the humour; 'tis true, it makes against wit, and I'm sorry for some friends of mine that write; but-'egad, I love to be malicious. Nay, deuce take me, there's wit in't too; and wit must be foil'd by wit: cut a diamond with a diamond; no other way, 'egad.

Lord F. Oh, I thought you would not be long before you found out the wit.

Care. Wit! in what? Where the devil's the wit, in not laughing when a man mind to't?

has a

[To Careless. Care. Then I shall be disappointed indeed. Mel. Let him alone, Brisk; he is obstinately bent not to be instructed.

Brisk. I'm sorrry for him, the deuce take me. Mel. Shall we go to the ladies, my lord? Lord F. With all my heart; methinks we are a solitude without 'em.

Mel. Or, what say you to another bottle of champaign?

Lord F. O, for the universe, not a drop more, I beseech you. Oh, intemperate! 1 have a flushing in my face already.

I

[Takes out a pocket Glass, and looks in it. Brisk. Let me see, let me see, my lordbroke my glass that was in the lid of my snuif-box. Hum! Deuce take me, I have encouraged a pimple here too.

[Takes the Glass, and looks in it. Lord F. Then you must fortify him with a patch; my wife shall, supply you. Come, gentlemen, allons. [Exeunt.

Enter MASKWELL and LADY TOUCHWOOD. Lady T. I'll hear no more. — You're false and ungrateful; come, I know you false. Mask. I have been frail, I confess, madam, for your ladyship's service.

I

Lady T. That I should trust a man whom had known betray his friend!

Mask. What friend have I betray'd? or to whom?

Lady T. Your fond friend, Mellefont, and to me; can you deny it? Mask. I do not.

Lady T. Have you not wrong'd my lord, who has been a father to you in your wants, Brisk. O Lord, why can't you find it out?-and given you being? Have you not wrong'd Why, there 'tis, in the not laughing. Don't him in the highest manner?

you apprehend me?- My lord, Careless is a Mask. With your ladyship's help, and for very honest fellow; but, harkye, you under- your service, as I told you before-I can't stand me, somewhat heavy; a little shallow, deny that neither. Any thing more, madam? or so. Why, I'll tell you now: suppose now Lady T. More, audacious villain! O, what's you come up to me-nay, pr'ythee, Careless, more is most my shame-Have you not disbe instructed-Suppose, as I was saying, you honour'd me?

come up to me, holding your sides, and Mask. No, that I deny; for I never told in laughing as if you would-Well! I look grave, all my life; so that accusation's answer'd-on and ask the cause of this immoderate mirth: to the next.

you laugh on still, and are not able to tell Lady T. Death! do you dally with my pasme: still I look grave; not so much as smile- sion? insolent devil! But have a care; provoke Care. Smile! no; what the devil should me not; you shall not escape my vengeance. you smile at, when you suppose I can't-Calm villain! how unconcern'd he stands, tell you? confessing treachery and ingratitude! Is there Brisk. Pshaw, pshaw, pr'ythee don't inter- a vice more black? O, I have excuses, thourupt me-but I tell you, you shall tell me at last; but it shall be a great while first.

and I

sands, for my faults: fire in my temper; passions in my soul, apt to every provocation; oppressed at once with love, and with despair. But a sedate, a thinking villain, whose black blood runs temperately bad, what excuse cau clear?

Care. Well, but pr'ythee don't let it be a great while, because I long to have it over. Brisk. Well then, you tell me some good jest, or very witty thing, laughing all the while as if were ready to die you Mask. Will you be in temper, madam? 1 hear it, and look thus; would not you be would not talk not to be heard. I have been disappointed? a very great rogue for your sake, and you Care. No; for if it were a witty thing, I reproach me with it; I am ready to be a rogue should not expect you to understand it. still to do you service; and you are flinging Lord F. O fie, Mr. Careless; all the world conscience and honour in my face, to rebate allow Mr. Brisk to have wit: my wife says my inclinations. How am I to behave myself? he has a great deal; I hope you think her You know I am your creature; my life and a judge. fortune in your power; to disoblige you brings Brisk. Pho, my lord, his voice goes for me certain ruin. Allow it, I would betray nothing I can't tell how to make him ap-you, I would not be a traitor to myself: I

don't pretend to honesty, because you know| Lady T. How, how? thou dear, thou preI am a rascal: but I would convince you, cious villain, how? from the necessity, of my being firm to you.

Mask. You have already been tampering

Lady T. Necessity, impudence! Can no gra- with my lady Pliant. titude incline you? no obligations touch you? Were you not in the nature of a servant? pression I think fit. and have not I, in effect, made you lord_of all, of me, and of my lord? Where is that that Mellefont loves her. humble love, the languishing, that adoration which was once paid me, and everlastingly engaged?

Lady T. I have: she is ready for any im

Mask. She must be thoroughly persuaded

Mask. Fixed, rooted in my heart, whence nothing can remove 'em; yet youLady T. Yet; what yet?

Mask. Nay, misconceive me not, madam, when I say I have had a generous, and a faithful passion, which you had never favoured but through revenge and policy. Lady T. Ha!

You

Mask. Look you, madam, we are alonecontain yourself, and hear me. pray know you lov'd your nephew, when I first sigh'd for you; I quickly found it: an argument that I loved; for, with that art you veil'd your passion, 'twas imperceptible to all but jealous eyes. This discovery made me bold, I confess it; for by it I thought you in my power: your nephew's scorn of you added to my hopes; I watched the occasion, and took you, just repulsed by him, warm at once with love and indignation; your disposition, my arguments, and happy opportunity, accomplish'd my design. How I have loved you since, words have not shown; then how should words express?

Lady Ì. Well, mollifving devil! and have I not met your love with forward fire?

Mask. Your zeal, 1 grant, was ardent, but misplaced: there was revenge in view; that woman's idol had defil'd the temple of the god, and love was made a mock-worship. A son and heir would have edg'd young Mellefont

Lady T. She is so credulous that way naturally, and likes him so well, that she will believe it faster than I can persuade her. But I don't see what you can propose from such a trifling design; for her first conversing with Mellefont will convince her of the contrary.

Mask. I know it.-I don't depend upon it; but it will prepare something else, and gain us leisure to lay a stronger plot: if I gain a little time, I shall not want contrivance. One minute gives invention to destroy What, to rebuild, will a whole age employ. [Exeunt.

ACT II.

SCENE I.-The same.

Enter LADY FROTH and CYNTHIA. Cyn. Indeed, madam! is it possible your ladyship could have been so much in love? Lady F. I could not sleep; I did not sleep one wink for three weeks together.

Cyn. Prodigious! I wonder want of sleep, and so much love, and so much wit as your ladyship has, did not turn your brain.

Lady F. O, my dear Cynthia, you must not rally your friend. But really, as you say, I wonder too-But then I had a way; for, between you and I, I had whimsies and vapours; but I gave them vent.

Cyn. How pray, madam?

Lady F. O, I writ; writ abundantly. - Do you never write?

Cyn. Write! what?

Lady F. Songs, elegies, satires, encomiums,

upon the brink of ruin, and left him nought panegyrics, lampoons, plays, or heroic poems. but you to catch at for prevention.

Lady T. Again, provoke me! Do you wind me like a larum, only to rouse my own still'd soul for your diversion? Confusion!

Cyn. O Lord, not I, madam; I'm content to be a courteous reader.

Lady F. O, inconsistent! In love, and not write! If my lord and I had been both of Mask. Nay, madam, I'm gone, if you re- your temper, we had never come together.lapse. What needs this? I say nothing but O, bless me! what a sad thing would that have what yourself, in open hours of love, have been, if my lord and I should never have met! told me. Why should you deny it? Nay, Cyn. Then neither my lord or you would how can you? Is not all this present heat ever have met with your match, on my conowing to the same fire? Do not you love hira science.

still? How have I this day offended you, but Lady F. O'my conscience, no more we in not breaking off his match with Cynthia? should; thou say'st right; for sure my lord which, ere to-morrow, shall be done, had you Froth is as fine a gentleman, and as much a but patience. man of quality!-Ah! nothing at all of the Lady T. How! what said you, Maskwell? common air--I think I may say, he wants no-Another caprice to unwind my temper? thing but a blue ribbon and a star to make Mask. No, by my love, I am your slave; him shine the very phosphorus of our hemithe slave of all your pleasures; and will not sphere. Do you understand those two hard rest till I have given you peace, would you words? If you don't I'll explain 'em to you. suffer me. Cyn. Yes, yes, madam, I'm not so ignorant. Lady T. O, Maskwell, in vain do I disguise-At least I won't own it, to be troubled with me from thee; thou knowest me; knowest the your instructions. [Aside. very inmost windings and recesses of my soul. Lady F. Nay, I beg your pardon; but, beO Mellefont!-Married to-morrow!-Despair ing derived from the Greek, I thought you strikes me. Yet my soul knows I hate him might have escap'd the etymology. - But I'm too: let him but once be mine, and next im- the more amazed, to find you a mediate ruin seize him. letters, and not write! Bless me, how can MelMask. Compose yourself; you shall have lefont believe you love him? your wish.-Will that please you?

woman of

Cyn. Why faith, madam, he that won't take

you as well

my word shall never have it under my hand. Lord F. D'ye think he'll love
Lady F. I vow, Mellefont's a pretty gentle-as I do my wife? I'm afraid not.
man; but methinks he wants a manner.
Cyn. A manner! what's that, madam?
Lady F. Some distinguishing quality; as,
for example, the bel air, or brilliant, of Mr.
Brisk; the solemnity, yet complaisance, of my
lord; or something of his own, that should
look a little je-ne-sais-quoi-ish; he is too much
a mediocrity, in my mind.

Cyn. I believe he'll love me better.
Lord F. Heavens! that can never be: but
why do you think so?

Cyn. He does not, indeed, affect either pertness or formality; for which I like him: here he comes.

Lady F. And my lord with him: pray observe the difference.

Enter LORD FROTH, MELLEFONT, and BRISK.

Cyn. Impertinent creature! I could almost be angry with her now. [Aside.

Cyn. Because he has not so much reason to be fond of himself.

Lady F. O, your humble servant for that, dear madam. Well, Mellefont, you'll be a happy creature.

Mel. Ay, my lord, I shall have the same reason for my happiness that your lordship has, I shall think myself happy.

Lord F. Ah, that's all.

Brisk. Your ladyship is in the right; [To Lady Froth] but, 'egad, I'm wholly turned into satire. I confess I write but seldom; but when I do-keen iambics, 'egad.—But my lord was telling me, your ladyship has made au essay toward an heroic poem.

Lady F. My lord, I have been telling Cyn- Lady F. Did my lord tell you? Yes, I vow, thia how much I have been in love with you; and the subject is my lord's love to me. And I swear I have; I'm not ashamed to own it what do you think I call it? I dare swear you now; ah! it makes my heart leap; I vow I won't guess-The Syllabub, ha, ha, ha! sigh when I think on't.-My dear lord! Ha, ha, ha! do you remember, my lord?

Brisk. Because my lord's title's Froth, 'egad, ha, ha, ha!-deuce take me, very apropos and surprising, ha, ha, ha!

Lady F. Hey, ay, is not it? And then I call my lord Spumoso; and myself-what d'ye

[Squeezes him by the Hand, looks kindly on him, sighs, and then laughs out. Lord F. Pleasant creature! Perfectly well. Ah! that look, ay, there it is; who could re-think I call myself? sist? 'Twas so my heart was made a captive first, and ever since it has been in love with happy slavery.

Brisk. Lactilla, may be 'gad, I cannot tell. Lady F. Biddy, that's all; just my own name. Brisk. Biddy! 'egad, very pretty - deuce Lady F. O that tongue, that dear deceitful take me, if your ladyship has not the art of tongue! that charming softness in your mien surprising the most naturally in the world. I and your expression!-and then your bow! hope you'll make me happy in communicating Good, my lord, bow as you did when I gave the poem.

Brisk. I'm your humble servant, let me perish. I presume your ladyship has read Bossu? Lady F. O yes; and Rapin, and Dacier upon Aristotle and Horace. My lord, you must not

you my picture. Here, suppose this my pic- Lady F. O, you must be my confidant; I ture-Gives him a pocket Glass] Pray mind must ask your advice. my lord; ah! he bows charmingly. [Lord Froth bows profoundly low, then kisses the Glass Nay, my lord, you shan't kiss it so much; I shall grow jealous, I vow now. Lord F. I saw myself there, and kissed it be jealous, I'm communicating all to Mr. Brisk. your sake.

for

Lady F. Ah! gallantry to the last degree. Mr. Brisk, you're a judge; was ever any thing so well bred as my lord?

Brisk. Never any thing-but your ladyship, let me perish.

Lady F. O, prettily turned again! let me die but you have a great deal of wit.-Mr. Mellefont, don't you think Mr. Brisk has a world of wit?

Mel. O yes, madam.
Brisk. Ő dear, madam.
Lady F. An infinite deal.

Brisk. O heavens, madam

Lady F. More wit than any body.

Brisk. I'm everlastingly your humble ser

vant, deuce take me, madam.

Lord F. No, no, I'll allow Mr. Brisk. Have you nothing about you to show him, my dear? Lady F. Yes, I believe I have. Mr. Brisk, come, will you go into the next room? and there I'll show you what I have.

[Exit with Brisk. Lord F. I'll walk a turn in the garden, and come to you. [Exit

Mel. You're thoughtful, Cynthia. Cyn. I'm thinking that though marriage makes man and wife one flesh, it leaves 'em still two fools; and they become more conspicuous by setting off1) one another.

Mel. That's only when two fools meet, and their follies are opposed.

Cyn. Nay, I have known two wits meet, and by the opposition of their wit, render

Lord F. Don't you think us a happy cou- themselves as ridiculous as fools. Matrimony ple? [To Cyn. is a hazardous game to engage in. What Cyn. I vow, my lord, I think you are the think you of drawing stakes, and giving over happiest couple in the world; for you're not in time?

only happy in one another, and when you are Mel. No, hang't, that's not endeavouring to together, but happy in yourselves, and by win, because it's possible we may lose; since yourselves. we have shuffled and cut, let's e'en turn up trump now.

Lord F. I hope Mellefont will make a good husband too.

Cyn. 'Tis my interest to believe he will, my lord.

1) For instance, a lady's white hand is set off (embellished) by the contrast of the black keys of the pianoforte; and gentlemen generally prefer to play on an ebony flute.

Lady P. Inhuman and treacherousSir P. Thou serpent and first tempter of womankind

Cyn. Bless me! Sir-madam-what mean

Cyn. Then I find it's like cards; if either of us have a good hand, it is an accident of fortune.] Mel. No, marriage is rather like a game at bowls; fortune indeed makes the match, and the two nearest, and sometimes the two fur-you? thest are together; but the game depends en- Sir P. Thy, Thy, come away, Thy; touch tirely upon judgment. him not; come hither, girl; go not near him, Cyn. Still it is a game, and consequently there's nothing but deceit about him; snakes one of us must be a loser. are in his looks, and the crocodile of Nilus is Mel. Not at all; only a friendly trial of skill, in his wicked appetite; he would devour thy and the winnings to be laid out in an enter- fortune, and starve thee alive.

tainment.

Lady P. Dishonourable, impudent creature! Mel. For heaven's sake, madam, to whom do you direct this language?

Lady P. Have I behaved myself with all the

Enter SIR PAUL and LADY PLIANT. Sir P. 'Gadsbud! I am provoked into a fermentation, as my lady Froth says. Was ever decorum and nicety befitting the person of sir the like read of in story? Paul's wife; have I preserved my honour as

Lady P. Sir Paul, have patience, let me it were in a snow-house; have I, I say, prealone to rattle him up. served myself like a fair sheet of paper, for you to make a blot upon?

Sir P. 'Pray your ladyship, give me leave to be angry; I'll rattle him up, I warrant you; I'll teach him, with a certiorari, to make love to my wife.

Sir P. And she shall make a simile with any woman in England.

say.

Mel. I am so amazed, I know not what to Lady P. You teach him! I'll teach him myself; so pray, sir Paul, hold you contented. Sir P. Do you think my daughter this Sir P. Hold yourself contented, my lady Pli- pretty creature-'Gadsbud, she's a wife for a ant; I find passion coming upon me even to cherubim!-Do you think her fit for nothing desperation, and I cannot submit as formerly, but to be a stalking-horse,1) to stand before therefore give way. you while you take aim at my wife? 'Gadsbud, I was never angry before in my life, and I'll never be appeased again.

Lady P. How now? will you be pleased to retire, and

Sir P. No, marry, will I not be pleased; I Mel. Confusion! this is my aunt; such maam pleased to be angry, that's my pleasure at lice can be engendered no where else. [Aside. Mel. What can this mean? [this time. Lady P. Sir Paul, take Cynthia from his Lady P. 'Gads my life, the man's distracted. sight; leave me to strike him with the remorse Why, how now, who are you? What am I? of his intended crime. Slidikins, can't I govern you? What did I Cyn. Pray, sir, stay; hear him; I dare af marry you for? Am I not to be absolute and firm he's innocent. uncontrolable? Is it fit a woman of my spirit Sir P. Innocent! Why, harkye; come hiand conduct should be contradicted in a mat-ther, Thy, harkye, I had it from his aunt, my ter of this concern? sister Touchwood. 'Gadsbud, he does not care

Sir P. It concerns me, and only me; besi- a farthing for any thing of thee, but thy pordes, I'm not to be governed at all times. When tion; why he's in love with my wife; he I am in tranquillity, my lady Pliant shall com- would have tantalized thee, and dishonour'd mand sir Paul; but when I'm provoked to thy poor father, and that would certainly have fury, I cannot incorporate with patience and broke my heart. I'm sure, if ever I should reason; as soon may tigers match with tigers, have horns, they would kill me; they would lambs with lambs, and every creature couple never come kindly; I should die of 'em, like with its foe, as the poet says. any child that was cutting his teeth-I should Lady P. He's hot-headed still! 'Tis in vain indeed, Thy, therefore come away; but Proto talk to you; but remember I have a cur-vidence has prevented all, therefore come away tain-lecture1) for you, you disobedient, head- when I bid you. strong brute.

Cyn. I must obey, [Exit with Sir Paul. Sir P. No, 'tis because I won't be headstrong, Lady P. O, such a thing! the impiety of it because I won't be a brute, and have my head startles me; to wrong so good, so fair a creafortified, that I am thus exasperated. But Iture, and one that loves you tenderly: 'tis a will protect my honour: and yonder is the barbarity of barbarities, and nothing could be violater of my fame. guilty of it

Lady P. Tis my honour that is concerned, Mel. But the greatest villain imagination can and the violation was intended to me. Your form, I grant it; and next to the villany of honour! you have none! but what is in my such a fact, is the villany of aspersing me with keeping, and I can dispose of it when I please; the guilt. How? which way was I to wrong therefore don't provoke me.

Sir P. Hum,'gadsbud, she says true. [Aside]] Well, my lady, march on; I will fight under you then: I am convinced, as far as passion will permit. [Sir Paul and Lady Pliant come up to Mellefont.

a) 'Tis a dreadful thing for a man to be subject to the threats of a curtain-lecture; but what a scene when put in practice.-The lady commences her discourses in bed, depriving the husband of his sleep-It is called curtain-lecture from the bed curtains.

her? for yet I understand you not.

Lady P. Why, 'gads my life, cousin Mellefont, you cannot be so peremptory as to

1) It is a custom to go on moonlight nights shooting curliews on the sea-shore; but as these birds are very shy, there is no means of approaching them, but by hiding behind any old horse, which is made to ge backwards to the place, for the purpose. The birds not being frightened, by this means are easily aimed at, though it is dithcult to get more than one shot in the same place the same night,

or

deny it, when I tax you with it to your face; all thoughts of the marriage; for though I for, now sir Paul's gone, you are corum nobus. know you don't love Cynthia, only as a blind Mel. By heaven, I love her more than life, for your passion to me, yet it will make me jealous-O Lord, what did I say? Jealous! Lady P. Fiddie, faddle, don't tell me of this no, no, I can't be jealous; for I must not love and that, and every thing in the world; but you-therefore don't hope-but don't despair give me mathemacular demonstration, answer neither. O, they're coming, I must fly. [Exil. me directly. But I have not patience. Oh! Mel. [After a Pause] So then, spite of my the impiety of it, as I was saying, and the un- care and foresight, I am caught, caught in my paralleled wickedness! O merciful father! how security: yet this was but a shallow artifice, could you think to reverse nature so, to make unworthy of my machiavilian aunt: there must the daughter the means of procuring the mother! be more behind: destruction follows hard, if Mel. The daughter procure the mother! rot presently prevented. Lady P. Ay; for though I am not Cynthia's own mother, I am her father's wife; and that's near enough to make it inces!.

Enter MASKWELL.

Maskwell, welcome! Thy presence is a view Mel. O my precious aunt, and the devil in of land appearing to my shipwrecked hopes: conjunction! [Aside. the witch has raised the storm, and her miniLady P. O reflect upon the horror of that, sters have done their work; you see the vesand then the guilt of deceiving every body; sels are parted.

marrying the daughter, only to dishonour the Mask. I know it: I met sir Paul towing father; and then seducing meaway Cynthia. Come, trouble not your head, Mel. Where am I? is it day? and am II'll join you together ere to-morrow morning, awake? Madamor drown between you in the attempt.

Lady P. And nobody knows how circum- Mel. There's comfort in a hand stretch'd stances may happen together. To my think-out to one that's sinking, though never so far ing now, I could resist the strongest tempta- off.

tion; but yet I know 'tis impossible for me Mask. No sinking, nor no danger. Come, to know whether I could or no; there's no cheer up; why, you don't know that, while I certainty in the things of this life.

Mel. Madam, pray give me leave to ask you one question.

plead for you, your aunt has given me a retaining fee; nay, I am your greatest enemy, and she does but journey-work under me. Mel. Ha! how's this?

Lady P. O Lord, ask me the question! I'll swear I'll refuse it; I swear I'll deny it, there- Mask. What d'ye think of my being emfore don't ask me; nay, you shan't ask me; ployed in the execution of all her plots? Ha, I swear I'll deny it. O gemini, you have ha, ha! Nay, it's true: I have undertaken to brought all the blood into my face; I warrant, break the match: I have undertaken to make I am as red as a turkey-cock. O fie, cousin your uncle disinherit you; to get you turn'd Mellefont! out of doors, and to-Ha, ha, ha!-I can't tell Mel. Nay, madam, hear me — you for laughing-O she has opened her heart Lady P. Ilear you? No, no: I'll deny you to me-I'm to turn you a grazing, and to first, and hear you afterwards; for one does Ha, ha, ha! marry Cynthia myself; there's a not know how one's mind may change upon plot for you.

hearing. Hearing is one of the senses, and Mel. Ha! O see, I see my rising sun! Light all the senses are fallible; I won't trust my breaks through clouds upon me, and I shall honour, I assure you; my honour is infallible live in day.-O, my Maskwell, how shall I and un-come-at-ible.

thank or praise thee! thou hast outwitted woman. But tell me, how couldst thou thus get into her confidence, ha-how? But was it her contrivance to persuade my lady Pliant to this extravagant belief?

Mel. For heaven's sake, madamLady P. O name it no more.-Bless me, how can you talk of heaven, and bave so much wickedness in your heart? May be, you don't think it a sin-they say some of you gentle- Mask. It was; and, to tell you the truth, I men don't think it a sin-Indeed, if I did not encouraged it for your diversion: though it think it a sin-But still my honour, if it were made you a little uneasy for the present, yet 'no sin-But then, to marry my daughter, for the reflection of it must needs be entertaining. the conveniency of frequent opportunities-I'll I warrant she was very violent at first. never consent to that; as sure as can be, I'll Mel. Ha, ha, ha! Ay, a very fury. Mask. Ha, ha, ha! I know her temper. Weil,

break the match.

Mel. Death and amazement! Madam, upon you must know then that all my contrivances my kneeswere but bubbles; till at last I pretended fo Lady P. Nay, nay, rise up: come, you shall have been long secretly in love with Cynthia; see my good nature. I know love is power- that did my business; that convinced your ful, and nobody can help his passion: 'tis not aunt I might be trusted; since it was as much your fault, nor I swear it is not mine. How my interest as hers to break the match: then can I help it, if I have charms? And how can she thought my jealousy might qualify me to you help it, if you are made a captive? O assist her in her revenge; and, in short, in Lord, here's somebody coming; I dare not that belief, told me the secrets of her heart. stay. Well, you must consider of your crime, At length we made this agreement: if I acand strive as much as can be against it-strive, complish her designs (as I told you before), be sure: but don't be melancholy, don't de- she has engaged to put Cynthia, with all her spair but never think that I'll grant you any fortune, into my power.

thing-O Lord, no: but be sure you lay aside Mel. She is most gracious in her favour. —

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