simple girl will be the sufferers.

-I had some

thoughts of introducing her into the first companyBut now, madam, I shall neither receive nor return your visits, and will entirely withdraw my protection from the ordinary part of the family. [Exit.

Rus. Zounds, what impudence! that's worse than all the rest.

Lord T. Fine presence of mind, faith!-The true French nonchalanceBut, good folks, why such a deal of rout and tapage about nothing at all?——If Mademoiselle Harriet had rather be Mrs. Oakly than Lady Trinket-Why-I wish her joy-that's all.— Mr. Russet, I wish you joy of your son-in-law-Mr. Oakly, I wish you joy of the lady-and you, madam, [To HARRIET.] of the gentleman- -And, in short, I wish you all joy of one another, 'pon honour!

[Exit.

Rus. There's a fine fellow of a lord now! The devil's

in your London folks of the first fashion, as you call them. They will rob you of your estate, debauch your daughter, or lie with your wife-and all as if they were doing you a favour-'pon honour!—

Maj. Hey! what now?

Enter OAKLY.

[Bell rings violently.

Oak. D'ye hear, Major, d'ye hear?

Maj. Zounds! what a clatter!--She'll pull down all the bells in the house.

Oak. My observations, since I left you, have confirmed my resolution. I see plainly, that her good humour, and her ill humour, her smiles, her tears, and her fits, are all calculated to play upon me.

Maj. Did not I always tell you so? It's the way with them all they will be rough and smooth, and hot and cold, and all in a breath. Any thing to get the better of us.

Oak. She is in all moods at present, I promise you— There has she been in her chamber, fuming and fret

ting, and despatching a messenger to me every two minutes servant after servant-now she insists on my coming to her-now again she writes a note to intreat -then Toilet is sent to let me know that she is ill, absolutely dying-then, the very next minute, she'll never see my face again-she'll go out of the house directly. [Bell rings.] Again! now the storm rises!—

Maj. It will soon drive this way then-now, brother, prove yourself a man-You have gone too far to

retreat.

Oak. Retreat!-Retreat!-No, no!-I'll preserve the advantage I have gained, I am determined.

Maj. Ay, ay!-keep your ground!-fear nothingup with your noble heart! Good discipline makes good soldiers; stick close to my advice, and you may stand buff to a tigress——

Oak. Here she is, by heavens!-now, brother!
Maj. And now, brother!-Now or never!

Enter MRS. OAKLY.

Mrs. Oak. I think, Mr. Oakly, you might have had humanity enough to have come to see how I did. You have taken your leave, I suppose, of all tenderness and affection-but I'll be calm-I'll not throw myself into a passion-you want to drive me out of your house- -I see what you aim at, and will be aforehand with you— let me keep my temper! I'll send for a chair, and leave the house this instant.

Oak. True, my love: I knew you would not think of dining in your own chamber alone, when I had company below. You shall sit at the head of the table, as you ought, to be sure, as you say, and make my friends welcome.

Mrs. Oak. Excellent raillery! Lookye, Mr. Oakly, I see the meaning of all this affected coolness and indifference.

Oak. My dear, consider where

you are

Mrs. Oak. You would be glad, I find, to get me out of your house, and have all flirts about you.

your

Oak. Before all this company! Fie!

Mrs. Oak. But I'll disappoint you, for I shall remain in it, to support my due authority-as for you, Major Oakly

Maj. Hey-day! What have I done?

Mrs. Oak. I think you might find better employment, than to create divisions between married people-and you, sir

Oak. Nay, but my dear!

Mrs. Oak. Might have more sense, as well as tenderness, than to give ear to such idle stuff.

Oak. Lord, lord!

Mrs. Oak. You and your wise counsellor there, I suppose, think to carry all your points with me

Oak. Was ever any thing——

Mrs. Oak. But it won't do, sir. You shall find that I will have my own way, and that I will govern my own family.

Oak. You had better learn to govern yourself, by half. Your passion makes you ridiculous. Did ever any body see so much fury and violence; affronting your best friends, breaking my peace, and disconcerting your own temper. And all for what? For nothing. 'Sdeath, madam! at these years you ought to know better.

Mrs. Oak. At these years!-Very fine!Am I to be talked to in this manner?

Oak. Talked to!-Why not?--You have talked to me long enough-almost talked me to death-and I have taken it all, in hopes of making you quiet-but all in vain. Patience, I find, is all thrown away upon you; and henceforward, come what may, I am resolved to be master of my own house.

Mrs. Oak. So, so!-Master, indeed!--Yes, sir;

and you'll take care to have mistresses enough too, I

warrant you.

Oak. Perhaps I may; but they shall be quiet ones, I can assure you.

Mrs. Oak. Indeed!-And do you think I am such a tame fool, as to sit quietly and bear all this? You shall know, sir, that I will resent this behaviour--You shall find that I have a spirit――

Oak. Of the devil.

Mrs. Oak. Intolerable!-You shall find, then, that I will exert that spirit. I am sure I have need of it. As soon as the house is once cleared again, I'll shut my doors against all company.-You shan't see a single soul for this month.

Oak. 'Sdeath, madam, but I will!-I'll keep open house for a year.--I'll send cards to the whole town -Mr. Oakly's rout!- -All the world will come-and I'll go among the world too-I'll be mewed up no longer.

Mrs. Oak. Provoking insolence! This is not to be endured.Lookye, Mr. Oakly

Oak. And lookye, Mrs. Oakly, I will have my own

way.

Mrs. Oak. Nay, then, let me tell you, sir

Oak. And let me tell you, madam, I will not be crossed- -I won't be made a fool.

Mrs. Oak. Why, you won't let me speak.

Oak. Because you don't speak as you ought. Madam, madam! you shan't look, nor walk, nor talk, nor think, but as I please.

Mrs. Oak. Was there ever such a monster! I can bear this no longer. [Bursts into tears.] O, you vile man! I can see through your design-you cruel, barbarous, inhuman-such usage to your poor wife!you'll be the death of her.

Oak. She shan't be the death of me, I am determined.

-To

Mrs. Oak. That it should ever come to this!be contradicted-[Sobbing.]-insulted--abused-hated -'tis too much-my heart will burst with-oh-

oh!

[Falls into a fit. HARRIET, CHARLES, &c. run to her assistance.

Oak. [Interposing.] Let her alone.

Har. Sir, Mrs. Oakly

Charles. For heaven's sake, sir, she will be
Oak. Let her alone-let her alone.

Har. Pray, my dear sir, let us assist her.

may

Oak. I don't care-- -Let her alone, I say.

She

Mrs. Oak. [Rising.] O, you monster!-you villain! -you base man!- -Would let me die for want

of help? would you-

you

Oak. Bless me! madam, your fit is very violenttake care of yourself.

Mrs. Oak. Despised, ridiculed—but I'll be revenged -you shall see, sir

[Singing.

Oak. Tol-de-rol loll-de-rol loll-de-rol loll. Mrs. Oak. What, am I made a jest of? Exposed to all the world?-If there's law or justice

Oak. Toll-de-rol loll-de-roll loll-de-rol loll. [Singing. Mrs. Oak. I shall burst with anger. Have a care, sir; you may repent this.-Scorned and made ridiculous! No power on earth shall hinder my revenge! [Going.

Har. [Interposing.] Stay, madam.

Mrs. Oak. Let me go. I cannot bear this place.
Har. Let me beseech you, madam.

Maj. Courage, brother! you have done wonders.

[Apart.

Oak. I think she'll have no more fits.

[Apart,

Har. Stay, madam-Pray stay but one moment. have been a painful witness of your uneasiness, and i