contract a shameful familiarity with Mrs. Freeman ?— Did not I detect your intrigue with Lady Wealthy?Was not you— 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 constantly by your side, as if I was tied to your apron-strings? Mrs. Oak. Go, go, you are a false man-Have 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 me -You 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 stopped 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 your passion! Show me the letter, and I'll convince you of my innocence. Mrs. Oak. Innocence !-Abominable!-Innocence ! But I am not to be made such a fool-I 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 ! with vexation Go to your mistresses, and leave your poor wife to her miseries. -How unfortunate a woman am I-1 could die [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. Mrs. Oak. I know you hate me; and that your unkindness and barbarity will be the death of me. [Whining. Oak. Do not vex yourself at this rate-I love you most passionately-Indeed I do-This must be some mistake. Mrs. Oak. Oh, I am an unhappy woman! [Weeping. 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. Oak. [Reading.] To Charles Oakly, Esq.-Hand! 'Tis a clerk-like hand, a good round text! and was certainly never penned by a fair lady. Mrs. Oak. Ay, laugh at me, do! 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. Mrs. Oak. [Rising.] Well, sir-you see I have detected you--Tell me this instant where she is con cealed. 1 93402A Oak So-so-so-This hurts me-) I'm shocked [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 Charles!—No! Impossible. This is all a me see! 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 assurance 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 ridiculous- -For 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 satisfied. I do not believe a syllable of all this- -Give 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. [Exit. Oak. This is beyond all patience. Provoking woman! Her absurd suspicions interpret every thing the wrong way. But this ungracious boy! In how many troubles will he involve his own and his lady's family!——I never imagined that he was of such abandoned principles. Enter MAJOR OAKLY and CHARLES. Charles. 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. I am, indeed, brother! Thanks to that young gentleman there. Have a care, Charles! you may be The honour of a called to a severe account for this. family, sir, is no such light matter. Charles. Sir! sa 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? Charles. 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 Harriet Russet? all. Maj. I believe the young dog has been at her, after Oak. I was in hopes, Charles, you had better principles. But there's a letter just come from her father Charles. A letter!-What letter? Dear sir, give it me. Some intelligence of my Harriet, Major!-The letter, sir, the letter this moment, for heaven's sake! Oak. If this warmth, Charles, tends to prove your innocence Charles. 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. Charles. Has she got it? Major, I'll be with you again directly. [Exit 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 passed by, or 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 a 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, pricked with a pin, and the direction written in a vile |
