Adad, I have a thought in my head, madam, if it is not too late-

Lady T. Out with it quickly, then, I beseech thee.

Mrs. T. Has not the steward something of fifty pounds, madam, that you left in his hands to pay somebody about this time?

Lady T. Oh, ay; I had forgot-'twas to a-what's his filthy name?

Mrs. T. Now I remember, madam, 'twas to Mr. Lutestring, your old mercer, that your ladyship turned off about a year ago, because he would trust you no longer.

Lady T. The very wretch! If he has not paid it, run quickly, dear Trusty, and bid him bring it hither immediately. [Exit TRUSTY.] Well, sure mortal woman never had such fortune! five, five and nine, against poor seven, for ever!—No, after that horrid bar of my chance that Lady Wronghead's fatal red fist upon the table, I saw it was impossible ever to win another stake Sit up all night-lose all one's money-dream of winning thousands-wake without a shilling! and then- -How like a hag I look!—In short—the pleasures of life are not worth this disorder. If it were not for shame, now, I could almost think Lady Grace's sober scheme not quite so ridiculous- -If my wise lord could but hold his tongue for a week, 'tis odds, but I should hate the town in a fortnight-But I will not be driven out of it, that's positive.

Enter MRS. TRUSTY.

Mrs. T. Oh, madam, there's no bearing of it! Mr. Lutestring was just let in at the door, as I came to the stair foot; and the steward is now actually paying him the money in the hall.

Lady T. Run to the staircase head again-and scream to him, that I must speak with him this instant.

[MRS. TRUSTY runs out, and speaks.

Mrs. T. [Within.] Mr. Poundage!-a hem! Mr. Poundage, a word with you quickly!

Pound. [Within.] I'll come to you presently.

Mrs. T. [Within.] Presently won't do, man; you must come this minute.

Pound. [Within.] I am but just paying a little money here.

Mrs. T. [Within.] Ods my life, paying money! Is the man distracted? Come here, I tell you, to my lady, this moment quick!

Enter MRS. TRUSTY.

Lady T. Will the monster come, or no?

Mrs. T. Yes, I hear him now, madam; he is hobbling up as fast as he can.

Lady T. Don't let him come in-for he will keep such a babbling about his accounts-my brain is not able to bear him.

[POUNDAGE comes to the door, with a money bag in his hand.

Mrs. T. Oh, it's well you are come, sir! where's the fifty pounds?

Pound, Why, here it is; if you had not been in such haste, I should have paid it by this time-the man's now writing a receipt below for it.

Mrs. T. No matter; my lady says you must not pay him with that money; there's not enough, it seemsthere's a pistole, and a guinea, that is not good, in itbesides there is a mistake in the account too-[Twitching the bag from him.] But she is not at leisure to examine it now so you must bid Mr. What-d'ye-call-um call another time.

Lady T. What is all that noise there?

Pound. Why, and it please your ladyship

Lady T. Pr'ythee don't plague me now; but do as you were ordered.

Pound. Nay, what your ladyship pleases, madam.

[Exit.

Mrs. T. There they are, madam-[Pours the money out of the bag.]-The pretty things-were so near falling into a nasty tradesman's hands, I protest, it made me tremble for them!-I fancy, your ladyship had as good give me that bad guinea, for luck's sake-thank you, ma'am. [Takes a guinea. Lady T. Why, I did not bid you take it.

Mrs. T. No; but your ladyship looked as if you were just going to bid me; and so I was willing to save you the trouble of speaking, madam.

Lady T. Well, thou hast deserved it; and so, for. once—but, hark! don't I hear the man making a noise yonder? Though I think, now, we may compound for a little of his ill humour.

Mrs. T. I'll listen.

Lady T. Pr'ythee do.

[MRS. TRUSTY goes to the door. Poundage. [Without.] Well, but Mr. LutestringLutestring. [Without.] I tell you, I insist

Poundage. [Without.] Well, but can't you call next week, Mr. Lutestring?

Lutestring. [Without.] I'll be made a fool of no longer, Mr. Poundage; and if you don't pay me my money

Poundage. [Without.] Bless my soul, Mr. Lutestring, sure you wont

Lutestring. [Without.] Indeed, but I will, though!I won't swear, but if I leave this house, without my money, I'll be damned, that's all.

Mrs. T. Ay, they are at it, madam-he's in a bitter passion with poor Poundage-Bless me! I believe he'll beat him-Mercy on us, how the wretch swears!

Lady T. And a sober citizen too! that's a shame. Mrs. T. Ha! I think all's silent, of a sudden-may be, the porter has knocked him down-I'll step and see. [Exit.

Lady T. These tradespeople are the troublesomest creatures! No words will satisfy them!

Enter MRS. TRUSTY.

Mrs. T. Oh, madam! undone! undone! My lord has just bolted out upon the man, and is hearing all his pitiful story over-If your ladyship pleases to come hither, you may hear him yourself.

Lady T. No matter; it will come round presently; I shall have it from my lord, without losing a word by the way, I'll warrant you.

Mrs. T. Oh, lud, madam! here's my lord just coming in!

Lady T. Do you get out of the way, then. [Exit MRS. TRUSTY.] I am afraid I want spirits; but he will soon give them me.

Enter LORD TOWNLY.

Lord T. How comes it, madam, that a tradesman dares be clamorous in my house, for money due to him from you?

Lady T. You don't expect, my lord, that I should answer for other people's impertinence !

Lord T. I expect, madam, you should answer for your own extravagancies, that are the occasion of it; I thought I had given you money, three months ago, to satisfy all these sort of people.

Lady T. Yes: but you see they never are to be satisfied.

Lord T. Nor am I, madam, longer to be abused thus -what's become of the last five hundred I gave you? Lady T. Gone.

Lord T. Gone! what way, madam?

Lady T. Half the town over, I believe, by this time. Lord T. 'Tis well; I see ruin will make no impression, till it falls upon you.

Lady T. In short, my lord, if money is always the subject of our conversation, I shall make you no answer. Lord T. Madam, madam, I will be heard, and make you answer.

Lady T. Make me! Then I must tell you, my lord, this is a language I have not been used to, and I won't bear it.

Lord T. Come, come, madam, you shall bear a great deal more, before I part with you.

Lady T. My lord, if you insult me, you will have as much to bear on your side, I can assure you.

Lord T. Pooh! your spirit grows ridiculous! you have neither honour, worth, or innocence, to support it.

Lady T. You'll find, at least, I have resentment; and do you look well to the provocation.

Lord T. After those you have given me, madam, 'tis almost infamous to talk with you.

Lady T. I scorn your imputation, and your menaces. The narrowness of your heart is your monitor-'tis there, there, my lord, you are wounded; you have less to complain of, than many husbands of an equal rank to you.

Lord T. Death, madam! do you presume upon your corporal merit, that your person's less tainted than your mind? Is it there, there alone, an honest husband can be injured? Have you not every other vice that can debase your birth, or stain the heart of woman? Is not your health, your beauty, husband, fortune, family disclaimed-for nights consumed in riot and extravagance? The wanton does no more;-if she conceals her shame, does less; and sure the dissolute avowed, as sorely wrongs my honour and my quiet.

Lady T. I see, my lord, what sort of wife might please you.

Lord T. Ungrateful woman! could you have seen yourself, you in yourself had seen her-I am amazed