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menting fancy may give to my conduct, it may | you knew how my own heart reproaches me, you provoke a smile, but will excite no other pas- would spare yourself the trouble. With tears in sion. my eyes I now speak to you; I acknowledge all

Lady Rest. Mighty fine! what brought you to this house?

Belin. To be a witness of your folly, madam, and sir John's into the bargain.

Bel. That I can vouch: sir John can fill his mind with vain chimeras, with as apt a disposition as his lady. Beverley has been represented in the falsest colours

Lady Rest. That I admit: sir John invented the story.

Bev. And Belinda, madam, has been cruelly slandered by you.

Sir John. She has so that I admit. Belin. And my design to see all this cleared up, brought me to this house, madam. Now, you see what has made all this confusion,

my errors.

Belin. [Looking at him.] Those are not tears.
Mr Beverley.
[Smiling.

Bev. They are; you see that they are.
Belin, Ah! you men can command tears.
Bev. My life! my angel! [Kisses her hand.]
Do you forgive me?

Belin. No; I hate you.

[Looking pleased at him. Bev. Now, I don't believe that, [Kisses her cheek.] Do you hate me, Belinda?

Belin. How could you let an extravagance of temper get the better of you? You know the sincerity of any affection. Oh, Mr Beverley, was it not ungenerous?

Bev. It was; I own it; on my knees, I own

Lady Rest. Oh! I expected these airs. You it. may discuss the point where you please: I will Belin. [Laughing.] Oh, proud man! have I hear no more upon the subject. humbled you? Since you submit to my will and Erit LADY RESTLESS. pleasure, I think I can forgive you. Beg my picBland. Madam, the subject must be settled. ture back this moment. [Shews it him. [Follows her. Bev. [Taking the picture.] I shall adore it Sir John. You have a right to insist upon it.— ever, and heal this breach with uninterrupted The whole shall be explained in a moment. Sir love. William, you are a dispassionate man. Give us your assistance. [Exit.

Sir Wil. With all my heart. George, you are no longer concerned in this business, and I am glad of it. [Exit with young BELLMONT.

Cla. [To BEVERLEY.] Now, brother, now is your time: your difficulties are all removed.Sir John suspected you without reason: my lady Restless did the same to Belinda: you are both in love, and now may do each other justice. I can satisfy my Lady Restless and your father. [Erit. Bev. [Aside.] I see, I see my rashness. Belin. [Aside.] I have been terribly deceived. Bev. If she would but forgive my folly. Belin. Why does not he open his mind to me? I can't speak first.

Bev. What apology can I make her?-Belinda!

Belin. Charming! he begins.
[Aside, and smiling.
Bev. [Approaching.] Belinda !- -no answer?
Belinda!

Enter SIR JOHN, LADY RESTLESS, SIR WIL-
LIAM, BLANDFORD, BELLMONT, and CLA-

RISSA.

Sir John. [Laughing.] Why, yes; it is very clear. I can now laugh at my own folly, and my wife's, too.

Lady Rest. There has been something of a mistake, I believe.

Bev, You see, sir John, what your suspicions are come to. I never was within your doors before this day; nor should I, perhaps, have had the honour of speaking to your lady, had it not been for the misunderstanding your mutual jealousies occasioned between Belinda and me,

Bland. And your ladyship has been ingenious enough to work out of those whimsical circumstances a charge against my daughter. Ha, ha!

Sir John. It is ever her way, sir. I told you, my dear, that you would make yourself very ridiculous.

Lady Rest. I fancy, sir, you have not been be[Smiles aside.hind-hand with me. Ha, ha, ha!

Belin. Mr Beverley! Bev. Don't you think you have been very cruel to me, Belinda?

[Advancing towards her. Belin. Don't you think you have been barbarous to me? [Without looking at him. Bev. I have: I grant it. Can you find in your heart to forgive me?

Belin. [Without looking at him.] You have kept me on the rack this whole day, and can you wonder that I feel myself unhappy?

Bev. I am to blame: I acknowledge it. If
VOL. II.

Sir Wil. And now, Mr Blandford, I think we may as well let the match go on as we at first intended.

Bland. No, no more of that: you have disposed of your son. Belinda, I no longer oppose your inclinations: take Mr Beverley as soon as you will.

Sir John. Now let us see: if she agrees to marry him, why, then, she knows he is innocent, and I shall be satisfied.

Belin. If you insist upon it, sir.
5 F

[Aside.

Bland, I do insist,

Lady Rest. If Beverley accepts of her, all my suspicions are at an end. [Aside. Bev. Thus, let me take the bright reward of all my wishes. [Takes her hand. Belin. Since it is over, you have used your authority, sir, to make me happy, indeed. We have both seen our error, and frankly confess that we have been in the wrong, too.

Sir Wil. Why, we have all been in the wrong, I think.

Sir John. It has been a day of mistakes, but of fortunate ones, conducing at least to the advantage of all parties. My lady Restless will now be taught

Lady Rest. Sir John, I hope you will be taught

Bland. Never mention what is past. The wrangling of married people about unlucky questions that break out between them, is like the

lashing of a top: it only serves to keep it up the longer.

Sir John. Very true: and since we have been ALL IN THE WRONG TO-DAY, we will, for the future, endeavour to be ALL IN THE RIGHT.

Bev. A fair proposal, sir John: we will make it our business, both you, who are married, and we, who are now entering into that state, by mutual confidence to ensure mutual happiness.

The God of Love thinks we profane his fire,
When trifles, light as air, mistrust inspire.
But where esteem and generous passions spring,
There reigns secure, and waves his purple
wing;

Gives home-felt peace; prevents the nuptial
strife;

Endears the bliss, and bids it last for life.
[Exeunt omnes

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my tenderness and soft disposition-To be per petually running over the whole town, nay, the whole kingdom, too, in pursuit of your amours! mon--Did not I discover that you was great with mademoiselle, my own woman?-Did not your contract a shameful familiarity with Mrs Freeman?---Did not I detect your intrigue with lady Wealthy?---Was not you

Oak. [Within.] But, my dear-
Mrs Õak. Nay, nay, &c. [Squabbling within.
Enter MRS OAKLY, with a letter, OAKLY fol-
lowing.

Say what you will, Mr Oakly, you shall never
persuade me but this is some filthy intrigue of

Oak. Oons! madam, the Grand Turk himself has not half so many mistresses---You throw me out of all patience-Do I know any body but our common friends?—Am I visited by any body that does not visit you?-Do I ever go out, unless you go with me?-And am I not as conMrs Oak. Your love!-Don't I know your stantly by your side, as if I was tied to your Tell me, I say, this instant, every circumstance apron-strings? relating to this letter.

yours.

Oak. I can assure you, my love!

Ouk. How can I tell you, when you will not so much as let me see it?

Mrs Oak. Look you, Mr Oakly, this usage is not to be borne. You take a pleasure in abusing

Mrs Oak. Go, go; you are a false manHave not I found you out a thousand times? And have not I this moment a letter in my hand, which convinces me of your baseness?-Let me know the whole affair, or I will

Oak. Let you know! Let me know what you would have of meYou stop my letter before it comes to my hands, and then expect that I should know the contents of it.

Mrs Oak. Heaven be praised! I stopt it-I suspected some of these doings for some time past-But the letter informs me who she is, and I'll be revenged on her sufficiently. Oh, you base man, you!

Oak. I beg, my dear, that you would moderate passion!-Shew me the letter, and I'll your convince you of my innocence.

Mrs Oak. Innocence !-Abominable !-Innocence-But I am not to be made such a foolI am convinced of your perfidy, and very sure that

Oak. 'Sdeath and fire! your passion hurries you out of your senses- -Will you hear me? Mrs Oak. No, you are a base man; and I will not hear you.

Oak. Why, then, my dear, since you will neither talk reasonably yourself, nor listen to reason from me, I shall take my leave till you are in a better humour. So, your servant! [Going. Mrs Oak. Ay, go, you cruel man !— -Go to your mistresses, and leave your poor wife to her miseries-How unfortunate a woman am I I could die with vexation

[Throwing herself into a chair. Oak. There it is-Now dare not I stir a step further-If I offer to go, she is in one of her fits in an instant-Never, sure, was woman at once of so violent and so delicate a constitution! What shall I say to sooth her? Nay, never make thyself so uneasy, my dear-Come, come, you know I love you. Nay, nay, you shall be convinced.

ine.

Mrs Oak. I know you hate me; and that your unkindness and barbarity will be the death of [Whining. Oak. Do not vex yourself as this rate-I love you most passionately-Indeed, I do-This must be some mistake.

Mrs Oak. Oh, I am an unhappy woman!

Mrs Oak. [Rising.]—-Well, sir—you see I have detected you-Tell me this instant where she is concealed.

ed

Oak. So-so-so-This hurts me I'm shock[To himself. Mrs Oak. What, are you confounded with your guilt? Have I caught you at last?

Oak. O that wicked Charles! To decoy a young lady from her parents in the country! The profligacy of the young fellows of this age is abominable. [To himself.

Mrs Oak. [Half aside, and musing.]-Charles! Let me see! Charles! No! Impossible. This is all a trick. Oak. He has certainly ruined this poor lady. To himself. Mrs Oak. Art! Art! All art! There's a sudden turn now! You have ready wit for an intrigue, I find.

Oak. Such an abandoned action! I wish I had never had the care of him. [To himself.

Mrs Oak. Mighty fine, Mr Oakly! Go on, sir; go on! I see what you mean. Your assu rance provokes me beyond your very falsehood itself. So, you imagine, sir, that this affected concern, this flimsy pretence about Charles, is to bring you off? Matchless confidence! But I am armed against every thing-I am prepared for all your dark schemes: I am aware of all your low stratagems.

Oak. See there, now! Was ever any thing so provoking? To persevere in your ridiculousFor Heaven's sake, my dear, don't distract me! When you see my mind thus agitated and uneasy, that a young fellow, whom his dying father, my own brother, committed to my care, should be guilty of such enormous wickedness; I say, when you are witness of my distress on this occasion, how can you be weak enough and cruel enough to

Mrs Oak. Prodigiously well, sir! You do it very well. Nay, keep it up, carry it on, there's nothing like going through with it. O you artful creature! But, sir, I am not to be so easily satis[Weeping.fied. I do not believe a syllable of all thisGive me the letter-[Snatching the letter.]—You shall sorely repent this vile business, for I am resolved that I will know the bottom of it.

Oak. Dry up thy tears, my love, and be comforted! You will find that I am not to blame in this matter-Come, let me see this letter-Nay, you shall not deny me. [Taking the letter. Mrs Oak. There! Take it; you know the hand, I am sure.

[Exit MRS OAK. Oak. This is beyond all patience. Provoking woman! Her absurd suspicions interpret every Oak. To Charles Oakly, esq.-[Reading.]thing the wrong way. She delights to make me Hand! 'Tis a clerk-like hand, indeed! A good round text! and was certainly never penned by a fair lady.

Mrs Oak. Ay, laugh at me, do!

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Oak. Forgive me, my love, I did not mean to laugh at thee-But what says the letter?-[Reading. Daughter eloped-you must be privy to it-scandalous-dishonourable-satisfaction-revenge'-um, um, um- injured father.

HENRY RUSSET.'

wretched, because she sees I am attached to her, and converts my tenderness and affection into the instruments of my own torture. But this ungracious boy! In how many troubles will he involve his own and this lady's family-I never imagined that he was of such abandoned principles. O, here he comes!

Enter MAJOR OAKLY and CHARLES. Cha. Good-morrow, sir.

Maj. Good-morrow, brother, good-morrow!— What! You have been at the old work, I find? I heard you-ding! dong! i'faith! She has rung a noble peal in your ears. But how now? Why, sure, you've had a remarkable warm bout on't. You seem more ruffled than usual.

Oak. How can you trifle with my distresses, major? Did not I tell you it was about a letter? Maj. A letter! Hum-a suspicious circumstance, to be sure! What, and the seal a true lover's knot now, hey? or an heart transfixed with darts; or, possibly, the wax bore the industrious impression of a thimble; or, perhaps, the folds were lovingly connected by a wafer, prickwith a pin, and the direction written in a vile scrawl, and not a word spelt as it should be; ha, ha, ha!

Oak. I am, indeed, brother! Thanks to that
young gentleman there. Have a care, Charles!
You may be called to a severe account for this.ed
The honour of a family, sir, is no such light mat-

ter.

Cha. Sir!

Maj. Hey day? What, has a curtain lecture produced a lecture of morality? What is all this?

Oak. To a profligate mind, perhaps, these things may appear agreeable in the beginning.But don't you tremble at the consequences?

Cha. I see, sir, that you are displeased with me; but I am quite at a loss to guess at the occasion.

Oak. Tell me, sir! Where is Miss Harriot Russet?

Cha. Miss Harriot Russet! Sir-explain-Oak. Have not you decoyed her from her father?

Cha. I decoyed her!- -Decoyed my IIarriot!-I would sooner die than do her the least injury. What can this mean?

Maj. I believe the young dog has been at her,

after all.

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Oak. Pooh! brother-Whatever it was, the letter, you find, was for Charles, not for me— this outrageous jealousy is the devil!

Maj. Mere matrimonial blessings, and domestic comfort, brother! Jealousy is a certain sign of love.

Oak. Love! it is this very love that hath made us both so miserable. Her love for me has confined me to my house, like a state prisoner, without the liberty of seeing my friends, or the use of pen, ink, and paper; while my love for her has made such a fool of me, that I have never had the spirit to contradict her.

Maj. Ay, ay; there you've hit it; Mrs Oakly would make an excellent wife, if you did but know how to manage her.

Oak. You are a rare fellow, indeed, to talk of managing a wife! a debauched bachelor! a rattle-brained, rioting fellow-who have picked up your common-place notions of women in bagnios, taverns, and the camp; whose most refined commerce with the sex has been in order to delude country girls at your quarters, or to besiege the virtue of abigails, milliners, or mantua-maker's

Cha. A letter! What letter? Dear sir, give it me. Some intelligence of my Harriot, major!-'prentices. The letter, sir; the letter this moment, for Heaven's sake!

Oak. If this warmth, Charles, tends to prove your innocence

Cha. Dear sir, excuse me-I'll prove any thing -Let me but see this letter, and I'll

Oak. Let you see it? I could hardly get a sight of it myself. Mrs Oakly has it.

Cha. Has she got it? Major, I'll be with you again directly. [Exit CHA. hastily. Maj. Hey-day! The devil's in the boy! What a fiery set of people! By my troth, I think the whole family is made of nothing but combustibles!

Oak. I like this emotion. It looks well. It may serve, too, to convince my wife of the folly of her suspicions. Would to Heaven I could quiet them for ever!

Maj. Why, pray now, my dear naughty brother, what heinous offence have you committed this morning? What new cause of suspicion? You have been asking one of the maids to mend your ruffle, I suppose, or have been hanging your head out of window, when a pretty young woman has past by, or

Maj. So much the better! So much the better! Women are all alike in the main, brother, high or low, inarried or single, quality or no quality. I have found them so, from a duchess down to a milk-maid.

Oak. Your savage notions are ridiculous. What do you know of a husband's feelings? You, who comprise all your qualities in your honour, as you call it! Dead to all sentiments of delicacy, and incapable of any but the grossest attachments to women. This is your boasted refinement, your thorough knowledge of the world! While, with regard to women, one poor train of thinking, one narrow set of ideas, like the uniform of the whole regiment, serves the whole corps.

Maj. Very fine, brother! There's commonplace for you, with a vengeance! Henceforth, expect no quarter from me. I tell you again and again, I know the sex better than you do.They all love to give themselves airs, and to have power: every woman is a tyrant at the bottom. But they could never make a fool of me. No, no! no woman should ever domineer over me, let her be mistress or wife.

Oak. Single men can be no judges in these

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