baulk your inclinations- -but I should be glad you would please to explain your motives.

Sir L. Pray, sir, be easy-the quarrel is a very pretty quarrel, as it stands—we should only spoil it, by trying to explain it. However, your memory is very short-or you could not have forgot an affront you passed on me within this week.-So, no more, but name your time and place.

Capt. Abs. Well, sir, since you are so bent on it, the sooner the better;-let it be this evening-here by the Spring Gardens. We shall scarcely be interrupted.

Sir L. 'Faith! that same interrup.ion, in affairs of this nature, shows very great ill breeding.I don't know what's the reason, but in England, if a thing of this kind gets wind, people make such a pother, that a gentleman can never fight in peace and quietness. However, if it's the same to you, Captain, I should take it as a particular kindness, if you'd let us meet in King's Mead-fields, as a little business will call me there about six o'clock, and I may dispatch both

matters at once.

Capt. Abs. "Tis the same to me, exactly,—A little after six, then, we will discuss this matter more seriously.

Sir L. If you please, sir; there will be very pretty small-sword light, though it won't do for a long shot. So that matter's settled! and my mind's at [Exit.

ease.

1

Enter FAULKLAND, meeting CAPTAIN ABSOLUte. Capt. Abs. Well met.-I was going to look for you, -Oh, Faulkland! all the demons of spite and disappointment have conspired against me! I'm so vexed, that if I had not the prospect of a resource, in being knocked o'the head by and by, I should scarce have spirits to tell you the cause.

Faulk. What can you mean ?- -Has Lydia changed her mind? I should have thought her duty and inclination would now have pointed to the same object.

Capt. Abs. Ay, just as the eyes do of a person who squints: when her love eye was fixed on me— t'other-her eye of duty, was finely obliqued :— but when duty bid her point that the same way— off t'other turned on a swivel, and secured its retreat with a frown!

Faulk. But what's the resource you

Capt. Abs. Oh, to wind up the whole, a goodnatured Irishinan here, has [Mimicking SIR LUCIUS.] begged leave to have the pleasure of cutting my throat-and I mean to indulge him-that's all.

Faulk. 'Prythee, be serious.

Capt. Abs. "Tis fact, upon my soul.-Sir Lucius O'Trigger-you know him by sight-for some affront, which I am sure I never intended, has obliged me to meet him this evening, at six o'clock,-'tis on that account I wished to see you-you must go with

Faulk. Nay, there must be some mistake, sure. -Sir Lucius shall explain himself—and I dare say matters may be accommodated:-but this evening, did you say?—I wish it had been any other time.

Capt. Abs. Why? there will be light enough :there will (as Sir Lucius says)" be very pretty smallsword light, though it will not do for a long shot”— Coufound his long shots!

Faulk. But I am myself a good deal ruffled, by a difference I have had with Julia-my vile, tormenting temper, has made me treat her so cruelly, that I shall not be myself till we are reconciled.

Capt. Abs. By Heavens, Faulkland, you don't deserve her!

Enter SERVANT: gives FAULKLAND a Letter.

Faulk. O Jack! this is from Julia; I dread to open it; I fear it may be to take a last leave-perhaps to bid me return her letters, and restore-Oh, how I suffer for my folly!

Capt. Abs. Here-let me see-[Takes the Letter, and opens it.] Ay, a final sentence, indeed! 'tis all over with you, 'faith!

Faulk. Nay, Jack, don't keep me in suspense.
Capt. Abs. Hear, then.

As I am convinced, that my dear Faulkland's own reflections have already upbraided him for his last unkindness to me, I will not add a word on the subject.-I wish to speak with you, as soon as possible.

Yours ever, and truly,

JULIA. There's stubbornness and resentment for you! [Gives him the Letter.] Why, man, you don't seem one whit the happier at this!

Faulk. Oh, yes, I am-but-but

Capt. Abs. Confound your buts! You never hear any thing, that would make another man bless himself, but you immediately damn it with a but!

Faulk. Now, Jack, as you are my friend, own, honestly don't you think, there is something forward, something indelicate, in this haste to forgive? Women should never sue for reconciliation; that should always come from us: They should retain their coldness till wooed to kindness, and their pardon, like their love, should "Not unsought, be won.'

"

Capt. Abs. I have not patience to listen to youthou'rt incorrigible! so say no more on the subject. I must go to settle a few matters-let me see you be fore six, remember, at my lodgings. A poor, industrious devil, like me, who have toiled, and drudged, and plotted, to gain my ends, and am, at last, disap

H

pointed by other people's folly, may, in pity, be allowed to swear and grumble a little! but a captious sceptic, in love; a slave to fretfulness and whim, who has no difficulties but of his own creating, is a subject more fit for ridicule, than compassion! [Exit. Faulk. I feel his reproaches: yet, I would not change this too exquisite nicety, for the gross content with which he tramples on the thorns of love. His engaging me in this duel, has started an idea in my head, which I will instantly pursue: I'll use it as the touchstone of Julia's sincerity and disinterestedness; if her love prove pure, and sterling ore, my name will rest on it with honour! and, once I've stamped it there, I'll lay aside my doubts for ever!

[Exit.

ACT THE FIFTH.

SCENE I.

JULIA's Dressing Room.

JULIA.

Julia. How this message has alarmed me! what dreadful accident can he mean? why such charge to be alone? O Faulkland! how many unhappy moments, how many tears, have you cost me!

Enter FAULKLAND.

What means this? why this caution, Faulkland?

Faulk. Alas, Julia! I am come to take a long farewell!

Julia. Heav'ns! what do you mean?

Faulk. You see before you a wretch, whose life is forfeited: Nay, start not; the infirmity of my temper has drawn all this misery on me: I left you, fretful and passionate,—an untoward accident drew me into a quarrel; the event is, that I must fly this kingdom, instantly!-Oh, Julia, had I been so fortunate as to have called you mine entirely, before this mischance had fallen on me, I should not so deeply dread my banishment!

Julia. My soul is oppressed with sorrow, at the nature of your misfortune: had these adverse circumstances arisen from a less fatal cause, I should have felt strong comfort in the thought, that I could now chase from your bosom every doubt of the warm sincerity of my love. My heart has long known no other guardian ; I now entrust my person to your honour-we will fly together: When safe from pursuit, my father's will may be fulfilled, and I receive a legal claim to be the partner of your sorrows, and tenderest comforter. Then, on the bosom of your wedded Julia, you may lull your keen regret to slumbering; while virtuous love, with a cherub's hand, shall smooth the brow of upbraiding thought, and pluck the thorn from compunction.

Faulk. O Julia! I am bankrupt in gratitude!Would you not wish some hours to weigh the advantages you forego, and what little compensation poor Faulkland can make you, beside his solitary love?

Julia. I ask not a moment.-No, Faulkland, I have loved you for yourself: and if I now, more than ever, prize the solemn engagement, which so long has pledged us to each other, it is because it leaves no room for hard aspersions on my fame, and puts the seal of duty to an act of love. But let us not linger- Perhaps this delay