SCENE III.-The Park. Enter SIR JOHN. Sir John. If I can procure sufficient evidence, I shali bring the matter to a divorce, and make an example of them all. Would Marmalet were come! this is her time to a moment. If I can worm the secret out of her--Is not that she, yonder?-Not quite daylight enough to distinguish; but I think I perceive a person masked. Hist! hist-Mrs Marmalet-she comes this way: it is she. Mrs Marmalet, your servant. Enter a Person masked. You are very good, Mrs MarmaletMask. Bless my heart, I am scared out of my senses ! Sir John. What's the matter, pray? what's the matter? Mask. Oh, sir! I tremble like a leaf. I was accosted in a rude manner by some gentleman yonder; I can't stay here, let us go into your house, sir; I beg you will. Sir John. My house? Would not any other house do as well? Mask. Oh! no, sir; not for the world. Sir John. Why, my wife is not at home, and so I think I may venture: not but I had rather it were elsewhere. Mask. Indeed, sir John, I am frightened out of my senses. You will do me a favour, if you will take me into the house. Sir John. Say no more: it shall be so. ert! RobRob. Is that sir John? [Opening the door. Sir John. Your lady is not at home, Robert, is she? Bev. That will be explained presently: I'll wait till he comes home. I can't possibly go, without speaking to him. Tut. Indeed, you had better not stay, sir. You don't consider the mischief your being in the house may occasion. Bev. Mischief! how do you mean? Bev. What a flurry the woman is in! à foolish jade! I must speak with him now. Tat. [Entering.] It is he, as I am alive, sir! and there is a woman in a mask with him. Bev. A woman in a mask! Zoons, if that should be Belinda! my mind misgives me strangely! [Aside. Tat. Do, dear sir: you look like a good-natured gentleman; let me hide you out of the way, sir. You would not be the destruction of a poor servant. Bev. A mask coming home with him! I must know who that is. I won't leave the house without knowing. If I could conceal myself-have you any private place, Mrs Tattle? Tat. That is the very thing I mean, sir. Let me conceal you in that closet, till he passes through this room. He never stays long here. It won't take you two minutes. Do, sweet sir, I'll down on my knees to you. Bev. I must know who it is. Come, dispose of me as you will. If this should be Belinda! [Exit. Tat. Heavens bless you, sir, for this goodness! I'll lock the door, to make sure work of it. I was never so frightened in my life. [Exit: Enter SIR JOHN, and a person masked. Sir John. Mrs Marmalet, I am obliged to you for this favour. I wanted a word or two with : Sir John. Look ye, then if you will gratify me in what I shall ask, you may command any thing. Now you may be uncovered. Mask. La sir-I hear a noise: I am afraid somebody's coming: I shall be seen. Sir John. Hush! no: there's nobody. If you will indulge me on this occasion, I am yours for ever. Here, here is a purse of money for you. Mask. But if this should come to the knowledge of your lady, I am ruined and undone. Sir John. No, no: I'll take care of you. Mask. Will you, sir? Sir John. I will. But come; let me remove this from your face. Mask. But somebody may come. Sir John. I'll lock the door. There, now, we are safe. Tut. Lord, sir! I would not have you stay for the world: I would not indeed. You can call again in an hour, sir, and you'll certainly find Mask. But in a little time you'll make up all him at home then. Bless my heart, sir!-Iquarrels with your lady; and I shall be ruined. Sir John. No, no; never fear; I shall never be reconciled to her: I hate her; I detest her. Lady Rest. Do you so, sir? [Unmasking.]| Lady Rest. Oh, sir John! sir John! what evasion have you now, sir? Can you deny your guilt any longer? Sir John. This is unlucky! That villain Robert has betrayed me. I can't explain myself to her now. Try what soothing will do.My lady Restless, if you will but have patience, this matter shall be explained. Lady Rest. Explained, sir? Sir John. Yes, my dear, explained; andLady Rest. My dear, too!-the assurance of you! Sir John. I say, my dear; for I still regard you; and this was all done to-to-cure you of your jealousy; all done to cure you of your jealousy. Lady Rest. I will search that closet. I am determined I will. Sir John. Do so, madam; do so. Ha, ha! I can't but laugh at her. Lady Rest. I'll have the docr broke open, if you won't give me the key. Sir John. Ha, ha, ha!How you expose yourself! Lady Rest. Will you give me the key, sir? woman. Enter TATTLE. Lady Rest. Do you know any thing of the key of that closet, Tattle! Tat. The key, madam? I have it, madam. Tat. That is, I have it not, madam. Don't have it, madam; don't ask for it. [Aside to her. Lady Rest. Don't ask for it! but I will have pre-it.-Give me the key this instant. Lady Rest. A fine way you have taken! Sir John. Yes, yes; and so you will see sently all to convince you how groundless your suspicions are; and then we shall live very happy together. Lady Rest. Ay! you. Sir John. I have no further suspicions of I see my error, and I want you to see your's. Ha, ha!--I have no suspicionsThat will put her off her guard. [Aside.] My dear, compose your spirits, and— Lady Rest. And do you think to deny every thing, even in the face of conviction? Base, base inan! I'll go this moment and write to my brother. Sir John. Now, you talk wildly. This is all raving you make yourself very ridiculous. You do, indeed. I had settled all this on purpose, and contrived that it should come to your ears, and then I knew you would do just as you have done; and then-I-I resolved to do just as I have done; only to hint to you, that listeners seldom hear any good of themselves, and to shew you how wrong it is to be too suspicious, my dear was it not well done?-ha, ha, ha! Lady Rest. And do you laugh at me too, sir? Make me your sport? I'll go and get pen and ink this moment. Sir John. Oh! do so, madam; do so-ha, há! you'll only expose yourself: go and write, madam-ha, ha, ha! Lady Rest. I will, sir. [Going.] This door is locked. This won't succeed, sir. I suppose you have the key? Ay, I'll lay my life you have, and some one or other of your creatures is locked in there. Sir John. There, again! This is of a piece with all your vain surmises. Ha, ha! you are mighty silly; indeed you are. Sir John. How, is she not willing to give it? There is something in this, then. Give the key this moment, you jade; give it to me. Lady Rest. You sha'nt have it, sir. What, you want to hinder me! give the key to me. Tat. Dear heart, I have lost it, madam.-Better not have it, madam. [dside. Sir John. Give it me this moment, I say. Lady Rest. If you don't let me have it, it is as much as your place is worth. Tat. The devil is in it! there it is, then. Let me make my escape. [Erit. Lady Rest. Now, sir, we shall see; now, now, Sir John. Ay, now search, if you will. [Laughing at her. Lady Rest. [Unlocking the door.] You shall be found out, I promise you-Oh! [Screams out. Sir John. What is the matter, now? Lady Rest. Heavens! what have we here? Sir John. Oh! there is somebody there, then! Enter BEVERLEY. Bev. Madam[Bows to her. Sir John. By all that's false, here he is again! Lady Rest. What, in the name of wonder, brings you here, sir? Sir John. Oh, madam, you know his business, and I know his business, and the gentleman knows his business. There he is, madam; there is the gentleman waiting for you; true to his appointment, you see.--Sir, your humble servant. My lady Restless, your humble servant. Now, write to your brother; do. I should be glad to know what you can say now. Now, now; is the case plain now? Lady Rest. I am in amaze! I don't know what to make of this. Bev. Sir, I must beg you will put no forced construction upon this matter. Sir John. And you beg the same, madam, don't you? Bev. Sir, I beg to be heard. My business here is to desire you will return me the picture which you have in your possession. It is now become dear to me, sir. Sir John. I dare say it is. She is a worthless woman, and I won't fight about her. There, sir, there is your trinket. I shall have proof sufficient without it. Bev. Upon my honour, sir, you will have no proof of any transgression of mine. If you suspect your lady from these appearances, you wrong her much, I assure you. Lady Rest. Sir, I desire you will explain all this. Bev. Call up your maid, madam, and thenSir John. No, sir; no more of it. I am satisfied. I wish you good night. Bev. When you are willing to listen to reason I shall be ready to convince you of your error. Madam, you may depend I shall do justice to your honour upon all occasions. And now I [Exit. Bev. And must be returned. Sir John. It is of equal value to me. It shall take my leave: rise in evidence against you both. Lady Rest. Evidence against me? Explain yourself. How did you get in here? What's your business? What brought you hither? What's your errand? Sir John. Ay, sir, speak; how did you get in here? What's your business? What brought you hither? What's your errand? Bev. Vexation! I am beset by them both at once. Lady Rest. Speak, sir; explain. Beo. Sir, if you will give me leave, I will satisfy you entirely. I assure you, sir, and you, too, madam, that the liberty I have taken with your closet is entirely owing to your maid, Tattle. Sir John. The jade! I don't doubt it, sir. Bev. To prevent, if possible, the interpretation now put upon seeing me in this house. Sir John. And it was well contrived, sir. Oh, my Lady Restless! Lady Rest. By all that's just, I knew nothing of it! Bev. Nothing, upon my honour, sir! Sir John. Oh, I knew you would both agree. Bev. As I am a gentleman, I tell you the real fact. Sir John. You need not, sir; I know the real fact. Bev. I have no time to lose in frivolous altercation: I must now desire the picture, directly. Sir John. I wish you a good evening. I Bev. I shall not stir without it. I should be glad you would comply without a quarrel. must be obliged to Sir John. Ay, now her prize-fighter begins. [Aside.]—I desire you will quit my house, sir. Bev. I am not to be trifled with. If you don't return it by fair means, I shall be forced to draw. Sir John. There again, now! she has set him on to cut my throat: but I will disappoint her. Sir John. Now, my Lady Restless, now! You are thoroughly known; all your artifices are known; Mr Beverley is known; my lord Conquest is known! Lady Rest. My lord Conquest, sir! I despise all your imputations. My lord Conquest's maid, sir! what can you say to that? Sir John. Very well, madam! 'tis now my turn to write to your brother, and I promise you I will do it. Lady Rest. You will write, sir, you will write! Well, his assurance is unequalled. [Aside.]--You will write! That is pleasant indeed-Write, sir; do; you will only expose your weakness—Ha, ha! you make yourself very ridiculous; you do indeed-Ha, ha! Sir John. 'Sdeath, madam! am I to be insulted with a contumelious laugh into the bargain? Lady Rest. Why, my dear, this was all done— to-to-to-cure you of your jealousy; for I knew you would act as you have done, and so I resolved to do as I have done. Was it not well done, my dear? Ha, ha !— Sir John. Damnation! this is too much it is beyond all patience. Lady Rest. Ha, ha, ha! the tables are turned, I think. [Sings, and laughs. Sir John. Let me tell you, it is no laughing matter. You are a vile woman; I know you, and the world shall know you: I promise you it shall. Lady Rest. I am clear in my own conviction, and your slander I despise: nor shall your artifices blind me or my friends any longer. Sir, as you say, it is no laughing matter. I promise you, you shall never dishonour me again in this house. Sir John. And I promise you, madam, that you shall never dishonour me in any house. Lady Rest. Injurious, false, perfidious man! Sir John. Deceitful, wanton! wanton woman! [Exeunt at opposite doors. VOL. II. 5 E ACT V. SCENE I.-An Apartment at MR BLANDFORD'S. Enter BELINDA. Belin. UNGENEROUS, false, deceitful Beverley! under that fair appearance, could I imagine that he harboured so much treachery? Attached to Lady Restless; engaged in a dishonourable intrigue with the wife of another, and yet professing an affection for me, with ardour professing it, and for me only! He is likely to regard the honour of the marriage-bed, who is ready to commit a trespass on the happiness of his neighbour. It was Providence sent sir John Restless to pay me a visit. The whole is now brought to light; and, Mr Beverley, I have done with you for ever. I shall now obey my father's commands. By giving my hand to sir William Bellmont's son, I shall punish an undeserving libertine for his treachery. Enter TIPPET. as it his man-as if from yourself-carelessly were by accident-whether his master has talked of me? and what he said, Tippet ? Tip. I know Mr Brush: I can wheedle it out of him, I warrant me. Belin. Get at the particulars: not that I care: I don't want to know any thing about the ungrateful man. It does not concern me now. My foolish weakness is over: let him care as little for me as I do for him: you may tell him so. Tip. Your message shan't lose in the carrying. Belin. Well, that's all: you may be gone. Tip. Yes, madam. Belin. Mind what I have said. Belin. Don't forget a word of it. [Going. [Going. [Going. Belin. And hark ye? tell him how easy, how composed I am. That will gall him. You see, Tippet, I am quite unconcerned. [Forcing a smile. Tip. Yes, madam: you don't seem to fret in Well, Tippet, have you done as I ordered the least. you? Tip. I have, madam. Belin. The perfidious man! did you ever know such behaviour? Tip. He is a traitor, like the rest of them. Belin. After all the regard I professed for him after so many ardent vows and protestations as he has made me ! Tip. The hours that he has sighed away at your feet! Belin. I will banish him from my thoughts. My resolution is fixed, and so I have told my father. Is sir William Bellmont with him? Tip. He is, madam: they are both in close talk: they are over their glass, and are so overjoyed at the change of your mind Belin. And I applaud myself for what I have done-Oh, Mr Beverley! you have forced me to this extremity-Here, take this letter, Tippet, and give it to him with your own hands. Tip. He shall have it. [Takes the letter. Belin. Where are all his letters? Tip. Here, madam. [Shews a parcel. Belin. The bracelets, and the pocket-book? Tip. I have them safe. Belin. Very well take his presents home to him; and, do you hear? Bring me back all the foolish letters I writ to him. Tip. Never doubt me: I won't quit the house without them. Exchange is all fair. Belin. That letter will tell him, that though I now break with him in a manner, that may seem abrupt, his character and conduct have compelled me to it. Be sure you confirm that to him. Tip. He shall hear it all, and roundly, too. Belin. Very well: you may go-Tippet-ask Belin. It is easy to perceive that I am not at all disconcerted. You may see how gay I am upon the occasion. [Affecting to laugh. Tip. [Laughing.] Oh! yes, madam: you make quite a laughing matter of it. Belin. Very true: a perfect air of indifference!---Well, I have done. Tell him, that, upon no account, will I ever exchange a word with him; that I will never hear of him; never think of him; never see him; and never, upon any con sideration, admit the smallest intercourse; no, never; I will have no more to do with him. Tip. I have my lesson, madam, and I am glad you are so resolved upon it. [Going. Enter a Servant. Ser. Mr Beverley, madam. Tip. You must not let him up stairs; my lady will never see his face. Belin. Yes, I think I may see him: shew him up. I will see him once more, and tell him all myself. It will come better from me, Tippet. Tip. Yes, madam, you will do it with a better grace; and your resolution will melt away like a bit of sugar in your mouth. Belin. My resolution is not to be altered: you may withdraw, Tippet. Tip. Yes, madam-Ah! she has a hankering after him still. [Erit. Belin. I shall now take my leave of him-But then, my friend Clarissa! can I reb her of her lover? she has not deserved it at my hands. Though Mr Beverley has deceived me, must Į be false to honour, and to friendship? Enter BEVERLEY. Bev. Belinda! how gladly do I once again behold Belin. And with what resentment have not I reason to behold, sir Bev. You have, Belinda: you have reason, I grant it: forgive the rash words my folly uttered. Belin. Mistake me not, sir: it is not your words I quarrel with your actions, Mr Beverley; your actions, sir! Bev. They are not to be extenuated: but surely, after the letter you honoured me withBelin. Sir, I have heard every thing since I was guilty of that folly. Bev. Heard! what? Belin. Dissemble if you will: but this must be the last of our conversing together. My maid will return you whatever I have received from you all my silly letters I must desire you to deliver to her; and then visit me no more, sir. Bev. Belinda!---you will not wound me thus! Here is the picture which caused that unlucky mistake between us. I have recovered it from sir John Restless. Belin. From my lady Restless, sir. Belin. Oh! fy, sir; no more; I have done. Bev. You must, you must accept it. Thus, on my knees, I beg you. Will you, Belinda ? [Takes her hand. Belin. Leave me, sir: let go my hand, Mr Beverley: your falsehood Bev. My falsehood! by all theBelin. Your falsehood, sir: sir John Restless has told me all; every circumstance. Bev. He has told you! what has he told? his life shall answer it. Belin. You have destroyed my peace of mind for ever. Nay, you yourself have forced me into the arms of another. Bev. What do I hear? Belin. My lady Restless will rejoice at the news: the event will not be unpleasing to her; but she is welcome: let her enjoy her triumph. Bev. You astonish me, Belinda! what does all this mean? Belin. It means, that, in obedience to the commands of a father, I have agreed to marry Mr Bellmont. Bev. Mr Bellmont !-him!-marry him! it is very well, madam: I expected it would come to this, and my lady Restless is only mentioned, on this occasion, as a retort for my accusation about sir John. I understand it; and, by Heaven! I believe that whole story. part. You have only to send me back my letters, and Bev. Agreed, agreed. I'll go home this moment, and send them all. Before I go, madam, here is your own picture, which you had given me with your own hands. Mr Bellmont will be glad of it; or sir John Restless will be glad of it; or any body will be glad of it; you need not be at a loss. Belin. Very like, sir. [Takes the picture.] Tyrant, tyrant man! to treat me in this barbarous manner. [Cries. Bev. Tears! Belinda! [Approaching.] Belinda! Belin. No more of your insidious arts. I will hear no more. Oh! my heart, my heart will break. I did not think it was in your nature to behave as you have done; but-farewell for ever. [Exit BELIN. Bev. Belinda! hear me but speak. By Heaven, my lady Restless she is gone: 'sdeath! I have been duped by her all this time; I will now summon up all that is man within me, and, in my turn, despise her. Enter TIPPET. Tip. If you are going home, sir, I will take the things with me now. Bev. Yes; I am going: I will leave this detested- Tip. This abominable place, sir. Bev. This hell! [Laughing at him. Tip. Ha, ha!-ay, sir, this hell. Bev. This mansion of perfidy, ingratitude, and fraud ! Tip. Very right, sir; let us go. Bev. And yet -Tippet, you must not stir. Indulge me but a little. It is all a misunderstanding, this. Tip. My lady will have no more to say to you. You may take the things, sir: my lady resigns them to you, sir. Bev. Oh! Tippet, use your interest with her. Keep them in the house till I return. I will clear up this whole matter presently. I must not lose her thus. [Exit. Tip. Poor gentleman! he seems in a lamentable way. Well, I fancy for my part he is a true lover after all; that's what I do; and my young lady, I fear, is |