im ment, for I think the next step to your present post, is commonly a ship. O'Cut. The sooner the better, my lord! Honest Terence O'Cutter shall never flinch, I war rant you; and has had as much sea-sarvice as any man in the navy. Lord Trink. You may depend on my good offices, captain!—But, in the mean time, it is in your power to do me a favour. O'Cut. A favour! my lord! your lordship does me honour. I would go round the world, from one end to the other, by day or by night, to sarve your lordship, or my good lady here. Lord Trink. Dear madam, the luckiest thought in nature! [Apart to LADY FREE.]-The favour I have to ask of you, captain, need not carry you so far out of your way. The whole affair is, that there are a couple of impudent fellows at an inn in Holborn, who have affronted me, and you would oblige me infinitely, by pressing them into his Majesty's service. Lady Free. Now, I understand you—Ad mirable! [Apart to L. TRINK. O'Cut. With all my heart, my lord, and tank you too, fait. But, by the by, I hope they are not housekeepers, or freemen of the city. There's the devil: pay in meddling with them. They boder one about liberty and property, and stuff. It was but t'other day that Jack Trowser was carried before my lord Mayor, and lost above a twelvemonth's pay, for nothing at all, at all. Lord Trink. I'll take care you shall be brought into no trouble. These fellows were formerly Til go with you to the place. my grooms. If you'll call on me in the morning, O'Cut. I'll be with your lordship, and bring with me four or five as pretty boys as you'll wish to clap your two lucking eyes upon of a summer's day. Lord Trink. I am much obliged to you. But, captain, I have another little favour to beg of Lady Free. And pray, in what perilous adven-you. ture did you get that scar, captain? They O'Cut. Quite out of my element, indeed, my lady! I got it in an engagement by land. A day or two I spied three stout fellows, belonging to à merchantman. They made down Wapping. I immediately gave my lads the signal to chase, and we bore down right upon them. tacked, and lay to. We gave them a thundering broadside, which they resaved like men; and one of them made use of small arms, which carried off the weathermost corner of Ned Gage's hat; so, I immediately stood in with him, and raked him, but resaved a wound on my starboard eye, from the stock of the pistol. However, we took them all, and they now lie under the hatches, with fifty more, a-board a tender off the Tower. Lord Trink. Well done, noble captain!But, however, you will soon have better employ O'Cut. Upon my shoul, and I'll do it! Lord Trink. A gentleman has offended me in a point of honour-- O'Cut. Cut his troat. Lord Trink. Will you carry him a letter from me? O'Cut. Indeed, and I will: and I'll take you in tow, too, and you shall engage him yard-arm and yard-arm. Lord Trink. Why, then, captain, you'll come a little earlier to-morrow morning than you proposed, that you may attend him with my billet, before you proceed on the other affair. O'Cut. Never fear it, my lord!--Your satvant!-My ladyship, your humble sarvant! Lady Free. Captain, yours! Pray give my she do? service to my friend Mrs O'Cutter. How does | now I think on't, go out this way-meet herand be sure to make her a very respectful bow, as you go out. O'Cut. I tank your ladyship's axing--The dear creature is purely tight and well. Lord Trink. How many children have you, captain? O'Cut. Four, and please your lordship, and another upon the stocks. Lord Trink. When it is launched, I hope to be at the christening. I'll stand godfather, captain ! O'Cut. Your lordship's very good. Lord Trink. Well, you'll come to-morrow. O'Cut. O, I'll not fail, my lord! Little Terence O'Cutter never fails, fait, when a troat is to be cut. [Exit. Lady Free. Ha, ha, ha! But sure you don't intend to ship off both her father and her country lover for the Indies? Lord Trink. O no! Only let them contemplate the inside of a ship for a day or two. Lady Free. Well, but after all, my lord, this is a very bold undertaking. I don't think you'll be able to put it in practice. Lord Trink. Nothing so easy, 'pon honour. To press a gentleman——a man of qualityone of us--would not be so easy, I grant you. But these fellows, you know, have not half so decent an appearance as one of my footmen; and, from their behaviour, conversation, and dress, it is very possible to mistake them for grooms and ostlers. Lady Free. There may be something in that indeed. But what use do you propose to make of this stratagen? Lord Trink. Every use in nature. This artifice must at least take them out of the way for some time; and, in the mean while, measures may be concerted to carry off the girl. Enter a Servant. Ser. Mrs Oakly, madam, is at the door, in her chariot, and desires to have the honour of speaking to your ladyship, on particular business. Lord Trink. Mrs Oakly! what can that jealous-pated woman want with you? Lady Free. No matter what.- -I hate her mortally. Let her in. [Exit Servant. Lord Trink. What wind blows her hither? Lady Free. A wind that must blow us some good. Lord Trink. How ? -I was amazed you chose to see her. Lady Free. How can you be so slow of apprehension?- -She comes, you may be sure, on some occasion relating to this girl: in order to assist young Oakly, perhaps to sooth me, and gain intelligence, and so forward the match: but I'll forbid the banns, I warrant you.- -Whatever she wants, I'll draw some sweet mischief out of it. But away! away!- -I think I hear her-slip down the back stairs--or, stay, VOL. II. Lord Trink. Hush! here she is. Enter MRS OAKLY. [LORD TRINKET bows, and exit.] Mrs Oak. I beg pardon for giving your ladyship this trouble. Lady Free. I am always glad of the honour of seeing Mrs Oakly. Mrs Oak. There is a letter, madam, just come from the country, which has occasioned some alarm in our family. It comes from Mr Russet Lady Free. Mr Russet! Mrs Oak. Yes, from Mr Russet, madam; and is chiefly concerning his daughter. As she has the honour of being related to your ladyship, I took the liberty of waiting on you. Lady Free. She is indeed, as you say, madam, a relation of mine; but, after what has happened, I scarce know how to acknowledge her. Mrs Oak. Has she been so much to blame, then? Lady Free. So much, madam?-Only judge for yourself.Though she had been so indiscreet, not to say indecent in her conduct, as to elope from her father, I was in hopes to have hushed up that matter, for the honour of our family.- -But she has run away from me too, madam!-went off in the most abrupt manner, not an hour ago. Mrs Oak. You surprise me. Indeed her father, by his letter, seems apprehensive of the worst consequences. But does your ladyship imagine any harm has happened? Lady Free. I cannot tell-I hope not-but, indeed, she is a strange girl. You know, madam, young women cannot be too cautious in their con duct. She is, I am sorry to declare it, a very dangerous person to take into a family. Mrs Oak. Indeed! [Alarmed Lady Free. If I was to say all I know! Mrs Oak. Why, sure, your ladyship knows of nothing that has been carried on clandestinely between her and Mr Oakly. [In disorder. Lady Free. Mr Oakly! Mrs Oak. Mr Oakly-no, not Mr Oakly that is, not my husband-I don't mean him-not him-but his nephew-young Mr Oakly. Lady Free. Jealous of her husband! So, so!! Now I know my game. [Aside. Mrs Oak. But pray, madam, give me leave to ask, was there any thing very particular in her conduct, while she was in your ladyship's house? Lady Free. Why, really, considering she was here scarce a week, her behaviour was rather mysterious; letters and messages, to and fro, between her and I don't know who-I suppose you know that Mr Oakly's nephew has been here, madam? 5 II Mrs Oak. I was not sure of it. Has he been | be alarmed; I must insist on your not making to wait on your ladyship already on this occa- yourself uneasy. sion ? Lady Free. To wait on me! The expression is much too polite for the nature of his visit. My lord Trinket, the nobleman whom you met as you came in, had, you must know, madam, some thoughts of my niece, and, as it would have been an advantageous match, I was glad of it; but, I believe, after what he has been witness to this morning, he will drop all thoughts of it. Mrs Oak. I am sorry that any relation of mine should so far forget himself Lady Free. It's no matter his behaviour, indeed, as well as the young lady's, was pretty extraordinary-and yet, after all, I don't believe he is the object of her affections. Mrs Oak. Ha! [Much alarmed. Lady Free. She has certainly an attachment somewhere, a strong one; but his lordship, who was present all the tin, was convinced, as well as myself, that Mr Oakly's nephew was rather a convenient friend, a kind of go-between, than the lover. Bless me, madam, you change colour! You scem uneasy! What's the matter? Mrs Oak. Nothing--madam--nothing a little shocked that my husband should behave So. Lady Free. Your husband, madam ! Mrs Oak. Not at all alarmed-not in the least uneasy. [Exit MRS OAKLY. Lady Free. Ha, ha, ha! There she goes, brimful of anger and jealousy, to vent it all on her husband. Mercy on the poor man! Enter LORD TRINKET. My Bless me! My lord, I thought you was gone. Lord Trink. Only into the next room. curiosity would not let ne stir a step further. Ï heard it all, and was never more diverted, in my life, 'pon honour. Ha, ha, ha! Lady Free. How the silly creature took it! | Lady Free. A little shell thrown into the enemy's works, that's all. Both. Ha, ha, ha, ha! Lady Free. But I must leave you. twenty visits to pay. I have You'll let me know how you succeeded in your secret expedition? Lord Trink. That you may depend on. Lady Free. Remember, then, that to-morrow Mrs Oak. His nephew, I mean. His unpar-morning I expect to see you. At present, your donable rudeness-but I am not well-I am sor- lordship will excuse me. Who's there?[Cal ry I have given your ladyship so much trouble-ling to the servants.]—Send Epingle into my I'll take my leave. dressing-room, Lady Free. I declare, madam, you frighten [Exit LADY FREELOVE. me. Your being so visibly affected makes me Lord Trink. So! If O'Cutter and his myrmiquite uneasy. I hope I have not said any thing dons are alert, I think I cannot fail of success, --I really don't believe your husband is in fault. and then prenez garde, Mademoiselle Harriot! Men, to be sure, allow themselves strange liber-This is one of the drollest circumstances in naties. But I think, nay, I am sure, it cannot lie SO. It is impossible. Don't let what I have said have any effect on you. ture! Here is my lady Freelove, a woman of sense, a woman that knows the world, too, assisting me in this design. I never knew her laMrs Oak. No, it has not-I have no idea of dyship so much out. How, in the name of wonsuch a thing. Your ladyship's most obedient-der, can she imagine that a man of quality, or [Going, returns-but sure, madarn, you have not heard, or don't know any thing. Lady Free. Come, come, Mrs Oakly, I see how it is, and it would not be kind to say all I know. I dare not tell you what I have heard.Only be on your guard-there can be no harm in that. Do you be against giving the girl any countenance, and see what effect it has. Mrs Oak. I will-I am much obliged-But does it appear to your ladyship, then, that Mr Oakly Lady Free. No, not at all-nothing in't, I dare say-I would not create uneasiness in a familybut I am a woman myself, have been married, and cannot help feeling for you. But don't be uneasy; there's nothing in't, I dare say. Mrs Oak. I think so. Your ladyship's humble servant. Lady Free. Your servant, madam. Pray don't any man else, 'egad, would marry a fine girl, af- SCENE II-Changes to MR OAKLY's house. Enter HARRIOT following a servant. Ser. She is just gone out, madam. Ser. You would not see her, if you did, madam. She has given positive orders not to be interrupted with any company to-day. Har. Sure, sir, if you was to let her know that I had particular business Ser. Will you favour me with your name, madam? Har. Be pleased, sir, to let him know that a lady desires to speak with him. Ser. I shall, madam. [Exit Ser. Oak. Madam! Har. And that, in the mean time, you will use your utmost endeavours to reconcile me to my father, without his forcing me into a marriage with sir Harry Beagle. Har. I am heartily glad to hear of his safety. The favour, sir, I would now request of you is, Har. I wish I could have seen Mrs Oakly.that you would suffer me to remain for a few What an unhappy situation am I reduced to! days in your house. What will the world say of me? And yet what could I do? To remain at lady Freelove's was impossible. Charles, I must own, has this very day revived much of my tenderness for him; and yet I dread the wildness of his disposition. I must, now, however, solicit Mr Oakly's protection, a circumstance (all things considered) rather disagreeable to a delicate mind, and which nothing, but the absolute necessity of it, could excuse. Good Heavens! What a multitude of difficulties and distresses am I thrown into, by my father's obstinate perseverance to force me into a marriage which my soul abhors! Enter OAKLY. Oak. [At entering.]-Where is this lady?— [Seeing her.]-Bless me, Miss Russet, is it you? Was ever any thing so unlucky?-[Aside.]-Is it possible, madam, that I see you here? Har. It is too true, sir; and the occasion on which I am now to trouble you, is so much in need of an apology, that Oak. Pray make none, madam. If my wife should return before I get her out of the house again! Aside. Har. I dare say, sir, you are not quite a stranger to the attachment your nephew has professed to me? Oak. I am not, madam. I hope Charles has not been guilty of any baseness towards you. If he has, I'll never see his face again. Har. I have no cause to accuse him. ButOak. But what, madam? Pray be quick! The very person in the world I would not have seen! [Aside. Har. You seem uneasy, sir! dam. Oak. This is the most perplexing situation!— Why did not Charles take care to bestow you properly? Har. It is most probable, sir, that I should not have consented to such a measure myself. The world is but too apt to censure, even without a cause and, if you are so kind as to admit me into your house, I must desire not to consider Mr Oakly in any other light than as your nephew; as, in my present circumstances, I have particular objections to it. Oak. What an unlucky circumstance !---Upon my soul, madam, I would do any thing to serve you!-but being in my house creates a difficulty, that Har. I hope, sir, you do not doubt the truth of what I have told you? Oak. I religiously believe every tittle of it, madam; but I have particular family considerations, that Har. Sure, sir, you cannot suspect me to be base enough to form any connections in your family contrary to your inclinations, while I am living in your house? Oak. Such connections, madam, would do me, and all my family, great honour. I never dreamt of any scruples on that account. What can I do? Let me sce-let me see-suppose [Pausing. Hur. What place can be so proper as your own house? Oak. My dear madam, I- -I Mirs Oak. My dear madam-mighty well! Oak. Hush! hark!- what noise-nonothing. But I'll be plain with you, madam; we may be interrupted. The family consideration I hinted at, is nothing else than my wife. She is a little unhappy in her temper, madam! and if you was to be admitted into the house, I don't know what would be the consequence. Mrs Oak. Very fine Har. My behaviour, sir Oak. My dear life, it would be impossible for you to behave in such a manner, as not to give her suspicion. Har. But if your nephew, sir, took every thing upon himself Oak. Still that would not do, madam. Why this very morning, when the letter came from your father, though I positively denied any knowledge of it, and Charles owned it, yet it was almost impossible to pacify her. Oak. And since that, it seems, Charles has been so fortunate as to Mrs Oak. O, you deceitful man! That trick is too stale to pass again with me. It is plain, now, what you meant by your proposing to take her into the house this morning. But the gentlewoman could introduce herself, I see. Oak. Fy! fy! my dear; she came on purpose to inquire for you. Mrs Oak. For me! better and better! Did not she watch her opportunity, and come to you just as I went out? But I am obliged to you for your visit, madam. It is sufficiently paid. Pray, Mrs Oak. The letter! How I have been bub-don't let me detain you. bled! Har. What shall I do? What will become of me? Oak. Why, look'e, my dear madam, since my wife is so strong an objection, it is absolutely impossible for me to take you into my house. Nay, if I had not known she was gone out, just before you came, I should be uneasy at your being here even now. So we must manage as well as we can. I'll take a private lodging for you a little way off, unknown to Charles or my wife, or any body; and if Mrs Oakly should discover it at last, why the whole matter will light upon Charles, you know. Mrs Oak. Upon Charles! Oak. For shame! for shame, Mrs Oakly!How can you be so absurd? Is this proper behaviour to a lady of her character? Mrs Ouk. I have heard her character. Go, my fine run-away madam! Now, you've eloped from your family, and run away from your aunt! Go! You shan't stay here, I promise you. Oak. Prithee, be quiet. You don't know what you are doing. She shall stay. Mrs Oak. She shan't stay a minute. Oak. She shall stay a minute, an hour, a day, a week, a month, a year! 'Sdeath, madam, she shall stay for ever, if I choose it. Mrs Oak. How ! Har. For Heaven's sake, sir, let me go. Hor. How unhappy is my situation! [Weep-frighted to death. ing. I am ruined for ever. Oak. Ruined! Not at all. Such a thing as this has happened to many a young lady before you, and all has been well again-Keep up your spirits! I'll contrive, if I possibly can, to visit you every day. Mrs Oak. [Advancing.] Will you so? O, Mr Oakly! have I discovered you at last? I'll visit you, indeed. And you, my dear madam, I'llHar. Madam, I don't understand Mrs Oak. I understand the whole affair, and have understood it for some time past. You shall have a private lodging, miss! It is the fittest place for you, I believe. How dare you look me in the face? I am Oak. Don't be afraid, madam! She shall stay, I insist upon it. Rus. [Within.] I tell you, sir, I will go up. I am sure the lady is here, and nothing shall hinder me. Har. O my father! my father! [Faints away. Oak. See! she faints. [Catching her.] Ring the bell! Who's there? Mirs Oak. What! take her into your armis, too! I have no patience. Enter RUSSET and Servants. Rus. Where is this-ha! fainting! [Run my child! Oak. For Heaven's sake, my love, don't be soning to her.] O my dear Harriot! my child! violent. You are quite wrong in this affair-you don't know who you are talking to. That lady lis a person of fashion. Mirs Oak. Fine fashion, indeed! to seduce other women's husbands! Oak. Your coming so abruptly shocked her spirits But she revives. How do you, madam? Har. [To RUSSET.] O, sir! Rus. O my dear girl! How could you run |